Ode IX At Study
1 Whither did my fancy stray?
By what magic drawn away
Have I left my studious theme,
From this philosophic page,
From the problems of the sage,
Wandering through a pleasing dream?
2 ’Tis in vain, alas! I find,
Much in vain, my zealous mind
Would to learned Wisdom’s throne
Dedicate each thoughtful hour:
Nature bids a softer power
Claim some minutes for his own.
3 Let the busy or the wise
View him with contemptuous eyes;
Love is native to the heart:
Guide its wishes as you will;
Without Love you’ll find it still
Void in one essential part.
4 Me though no peculiar fair
Touches with a lover’s care;
Though the pride of my desire
Asks immortal friendship’s name,
Asks the palm of honest fame,
And the old heroic lyre;
5 Though the day have smoothly gone,
Or to letter’d leisure known,
Or in social duty spent;
Yet at eve my lonely breast
Seeks in vain for perfect rest;
Languishes for true content.