A Retir'd Friendship

Come, my Ardelia, to this bowre,Where kindly mingling Souls a while,Let's innocently spend an houre,And at all serious follys smile

Here is no quarrelling for Crowns,5Nor fear of changes in our fate;No trembling at the Great ones frownsNor any slavery of state.

Here's no disguise, nor treacheryNor any deep conceal'd design;10From blood and plots this place is free,And calm as are those looks of thine.

Here let us sit and bless our StarresWho did such happy quiet give,As that remov'd from noise of warres.15In one another's hearts we live.

We should we entertain a feare?Love cares not how the world is turn'd.If crouds of dangers should appeare,Yet friendship can be unconcern'd.20

We weare about us such a charme,No horrour can be our offence;For misheif's self can doe no harmeTo friendship and to innocence.

Let's mark how soone Apollo's beams25Command the flocks to quit their meat,And not intreat the neighbour -- streamsTo quench their thirst, but coole their heat.

In such a scorching Age as this,Whoever would not seek a shade30Deserve their happiness to misse,As having their own peace betray'd.

But we (of one another's mindAssur'd,) the boistrous world disdain;With quiet souls, and unconfin'd,35Enjoy what princes wish in vain.