Poetic Divination | Conclusion

“Conclusion of a Letter to a Friend” by Mary Wortley Montagu

But happy you from the contagion free,

Who, through her veil, can human nature see;

Calm you reflect, amid the frantic scene,

On the low views of those mistaken men,

Who lose the short invaluable hour,

Through dirt-pursuing schemes of distant pow’r:

Whose best enjoyments never pay the chase,

But melt like snow within a warm embrace.

Believe me, friend, for such indeed are you,

Dear to my heart, and to my int’rest true;

Too much already have you thrown away,

Too long sustain’d the labor of the day;

Enjoy the remnant of declining light,

Nor wait for rest till overwhelm’d in night.

By present pleasure balance pain you’ve past,

Forget all systems, and indulge your taste.