Inscription

Come, and where these runnels fall,
  Listen to my madrigal!
  Far from all sounds of all the strife,
  That murmur through the walks of life;
  From grief, inquietude, and fears,
  From scenes of riot, or of tears;
  From passions, cankering day by day,
  That wear the inmost heart away;
  From pale Detraction's envious spite,
  That worries where it fears to bite;
  From mad Ambition's worldly chase,
  Come, and in this shady place,
  Be thine Contentment's humble joys,
  And a life that makes no noise,
  Save when fancy, musing long,
  Turns to desultory song;
  And wakes some lonely melody,
  Like the water dripping by.
  Come, and where these runnels fall,
  Listen to my madrigal!