Laman Blanhard 1803-1845 John Bartlett

    Sooth ’t were a pleasant life to lead,
  With nothing in the world to do
But just to blow a shepherd’s reed,
  The silent season thro’
And just to drive a flock to feed,—
  Sheep—quiet, fond and few!

Dolce far Niente. Stanza 1.

    Give me to live with Love alone
  And let the world go dine and dress;
For Love hath lowly haunts….
  If life’s a flower, I choose my own—
  ’T is “love in Idleness.”