Solitude

Portrait of Alexander Pope
Alexander Pope 1688–1744

Happy the man, whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, Whose flocks supply him with attire; Whose trees in summer yield shade, In winter, fire.

Blest, who can unconcern'dly find Hours, days, and years, slide soft away In health of body, peace of mind, Quiet by day.

Sound sleep by night; study and ease Together mixed; sweet recreation, And innocence, which most does please With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown; Thus unlamented let me die; Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lie.

Keep reading

Discover more of Alexander Pope’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion 2 comments

Add your reading ↓
Readers
2
Longest reading
saji jose36 words
  1. we Saudi Arabia

    virtue
    ode on solitude

  2. saji jose India

    after my school days, for a long time,i forgot these lines. but suddenly i remembered this poem after 20yrs. thats the magic of this poem. no words to explain but just experience it with the life.

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.