The Book of Scottish Song/The Happy Clown

The Happy Clown.

[The tune called "The Happy Clown" is old. Gay adopts it for one of his songs in the "Beggar's Opera," beginning,

"I'm like a skiff in the ocean toss'd."

The following fine verses appear in the second volume of the Tea-Table Miscellany. Ramsay, in his "Gentle Shepherd" puts a few verses into the mouth of Sir William Worthy, to the tune of "The Happy Clown."]

How happy is the rural clown,
Who, far remov'd from noise of town,
Contemns the glory of a crown,
And, in his safe retreat,
Is pleased with his low degree,
Is rich in decent poverty,
From strife, from care, and business free,
At once both good and great!

No drums disturb his morning sleep,
He fears no danger of the deep,
Nor noisy law, nor courts e'er heap
Vexation on his mind;
No trumpets rouse him to the war,
No hopes can bribe, nor threats can dare;
From state intrigues he holds afar,
And liveth unconfin'd.

Like those in golden ages born,
He labours gently to adorn
His small paternal fields of corn,
And on their product feeds;
Each season of the wheeling year,
Industrious he improves with care,
And still some ripen'd fruits appear,
So well his toil succeeds.

Now by a silver stream he lies,
And angles with his baits and flies,
And next the sylvan scene he tries,
His spirits to regale;
Now from the rock or height he views
His fleecy flock, or teeming cows;
Then tunes his reed, or tries his muse,
That waits his honest call.

Amidst his harmless easy joys,
No care his peace of mind destroys,
Nor does he pass his time in toys
Beneath his just regard:
He's fond to feel the zephyrs breeze,
To plant and sned his tender trees;
And for attending well his bees,
Enjoys their sweet reward.

The flow'ry meads and silent coves,
The scenes of faithful rural loves,
And warbling birds on blooming groves,
Afford a wish'd delight;
But O, how pleasant is his life!
Blest with a chaste and virtuous wife,
And children prattling, void of strife,
Around his fire at night!

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