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Poem
October 3, 1798
The Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
A poem addressing farmers, praising the joys and rewards of agricultural labor, the abundance of rural life, freedom from tyranny, and gratitude to God for blessings.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
TO THE FARMERS.
YE happy swains! your rural labors lay.
Seek out the shade, and shun the burning day;
Regale yourselves a moment while I sing
The pleasures that from Agriculture spring.
Look round your farms—how rich the prospect seems!
The orchard bends, the field luxurious teems!
Here Agriculture opens to our view,
A land of milk and honey, rich and new.
Here she unbosoms all her golden store,
And wealth and plenty in your coffers pour,
Here she fulfils her royal promise made
To you who seek her smiles, her love and aid.
Here she delights your industry to bless,
And crown your toil and labors with success.
Thrice happy swains! go on and till your fields,
Enjoy the fruit your own hand's labor yields.
Rich are your gains, and happy is your lot,
—
Sweet is your toil, around your peaceful cot:
Ten thousand beauties all around you rise,
To please the mind, or charm the roving eyes.
Here you may sit beneath your shady grove,
And sing and sport, in innocence and love—
No tyrant's frown, no despot's haughty sway,
Can make afraid, or take your peace away:
But safely you may sleep, and safely wake,
And of your vine and fig tree both partake:
While thus you're blest, may gratitude arise.
To HIM who Rules, above the starry skies.
YE happy swains! your rural labors lay.
Seek out the shade, and shun the burning day;
Regale yourselves a moment while I sing
The pleasures that from Agriculture spring.
Look round your farms—how rich the prospect seems!
The orchard bends, the field luxurious teems!
Here Agriculture opens to our view,
A land of milk and honey, rich and new.
Here she unbosoms all her golden store,
And wealth and plenty in your coffers pour,
Here she fulfils her royal promise made
To you who seek her smiles, her love and aid.
Here she delights your industry to bless,
And crown your toil and labors with success.
Thrice happy swains! go on and till your fields,
Enjoy the fruit your own hand's labor yields.
Rich are your gains, and happy is your lot,
—
Sweet is your toil, around your peaceful cot:
Ten thousand beauties all around you rise,
To please the mind, or charm the roving eyes.
Here you may sit beneath your shady grove,
And sing and sport, in innocence and love—
No tyrant's frown, no despot's haughty sway,
Can make afraid, or take your peace away:
But safely you may sleep, and safely wake,
And of your vine and fig tree both partake:
While thus you're blest, may gratitude arise.
To HIM who Rules, above the starry skies.
What sub-type of article is it?
Pastoral
Ode
Hymn
What themes does it cover?
Nature Seasons
Religious Faith
Liberty Independence
What keywords are associated?
Farmers
Agriculture
Rural Labors
Swains
Blessings
Tyranny
Gratitude God
Poem Details
Title
To The Farmers.
Subject
Praise Of Agriculture And Rural Life
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Ye Happy Swains! Your Rural Labors Lay.
Seek Out The Shade, And Shun The Burning Day;
Here Agriculture Opens To Our View,
A Land Of Milk And Honey, Rich And New.
No Tyrant's Frown, No Despot's Haughty Sway,
Can Make Afraid, Or Take Your Peace Away:
While Thus You're Blest, May Gratitude Arise.
To Him Who Rules, Above The Starry Skies.