Thank God, my wife and I are well content
In doing things to win a modest name
Without the aid of Party Government
And all the meanness of that paltry Game.
Honest endeavour, and some boards and nails,
Pride in your work—this method seldom fails.
I am so diffident, I hardly care
To give advice to statesmen eminent,
And yet, on this occasion, shall I dare
To offer them some small encouragement:
Let them forgo their wrangles, curses, howls,
And strive to build a little place for fowls.
'Tis sheer presumption, surely, to compare
Myself with statesmen in high honour decked;
Yet do I feel emboldened to declare
That I am more deserving of respect.
They, by their brawls, a mighty work have marred;
I built an honest fowlhouse in my yard.
