Page:The castle of Indolence - an allegorical poem - Written in imitation of Spenser (IA castleofindolenc00thomiala).pdf/50

 Is there no Patron to protect the Muse, And fence for Her Parnassus' barren Soil? To every Labour its Reward accrues, And they are sure of Bread who swink and moil; But a fell Tribe th' Aonian Hive despoil, As ruthless Wasps oft rob the painful Bee: Thus while the Laws not guard that noblest Toil Ne for the Muses other decree,

I care not, Fortune, what you me deny: You cannot rob me of free Nature's Grace; You cannot shut the Windows of the Sky, Through which Aurora shews her brightening Face: You cannot bar my constant Feet to trace The Woods and Lawns, by living Stream, at Eve: Let Health my Nerves and finer Fibres brace, And I their Toys to the great Children leave;