Ode on Solitude

Alexander Pope 1688 (London) – 1744 (Twickenham)



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

Whose heards with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him 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 mix'd; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please,
                                With meditation.

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

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 07, 2023

34 sec read
276

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABAB XCXC DEDE FGFG HIHI
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 774
Words 112
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Alexander Pope

Alexander Pope (1688-1744) is regarded as one of the greatest English poets, and the foremost poet of the early eighteenth century. He is best known for his satirical and discursive poetry, including The Rape of the Lock, The Dunciad, and An Essay on Criticism, as well as for his translation of Homer. more…

All Alexander Pope poems | Alexander Pope Books

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