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The bookworm's passion brings no keen repentance,
And if he spends he still retains his wealth;
Indulgence in it never yet did sentence
A man to vain regrets and ruined health.
And if he spends he still retains his wealth;
Indulgence in it never yet did sentence
A man to vain regrets and ruined health.
Name a pursuit as pleasure-fraught and harmless,
Giving as many hours of calm delight,
And I'll at once abandon mine as charmless:
Till then I'll love it in the world's despite.
Giving as many hours of calm delight,
And I'll at once abandon mine as charmless:
Till then I'll love it in the world's despite.
Let who will blame, my dear old books I'll cherish,
Since they for all my troubles make amends;
'Twill be my greatest sorrow when I perish
That I no more can guard my silent friends.
Since they for all my troubles make amends;
'Twill be my greatest sorrow when I perish
That I no more can guard my silent friends.
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