Is now content
to
have the simplest meal
And then a nap on the grass beside the brook.
It's not the folly of foolishness that's shameful;
The shame is not knowing when folly's time is over.
Down here in the country nobody's sidelong look
Takes away from my simple pleasures or poisons them
With the subtle indirections of city malice.
My country neighbors laugh out loud when they see me
Moving sods and stones this way and that.
You'd
love
to
be eating in town with the city slaves;
You'd love
to
be in with them, part of the scene.
My city groom would love
to
be here in the country;
He covets your flock, your firewood, and your garden .
The ox wishes he wore the horse's saddle;
The horse, tired of riders, longs for the plough.
Let man and beast be content with what they're best at.
Translated from the Latin by David Ferry
TOM DISCH
Everyday
Life in the Dutch Republic
Since he was in that part of the alphabet anyway
The crotchety philosopher decided he would play
A game of bowls with his old friend Hobbema
And started off along the avenue of poplars
In the direction of Infinity, an idea
They were both very fond of, though they defined
