Not distant far from Taunton road

In Canton Dale is my abode.

My cot 'tho small, my mind at ease,

My Better Half, takes pains to please,

Content sits lulling in her chair,

And all my friends find welcome there

When they git home they never fail,

To praise the charms of Canton Dale.

There's Business with his cheering face,

And Labours-Arm, by nerves well brac'd,

The Interest seek, of all concern'd;

They strive to have their wages earn'd.

Labour, and Health go hand in hand;

Industry, claims the chief command;

Prudence, attends with early care;

And Discontent's but seldom there.

In my last Stage, how blest am I,

To find Content, and Plenty by?

Just work enough to keep in health

I exercise prefer to wealth

Within my Cot, I sit reclin'd

I sooth to Peace my thoughtful mind,

Recieve my friends with kind embrace 

Give them the best with Cheerfull face.

The dealing Hyprocite,

I try to shun, with all my might,

The Knave, I hate; the Cheat dispise; 

The Flatter fly; but court the Wise.

The poor Man's hope, the Widow's friend;

The Orphan's guide; who often lend,

Within my cot, I'm pleas'd to find;

Such men congenial to my mind.

Around my Cot, at break of day,

The robin pipe's his artless lay;

The yellow-Bird, with Pleasing note,

Sings sweet, and trills his little throat.

Near to my Coach, Congenial guest,

The Wren has wove Her mosey Nest,

Her hopes in safe repose to dwell,

Nor ought suspects the silvian dell. 

At early morn I take my round,

Invited first at hammer's sound;

The Furnace next; then Roleing-Mills;

'Till Breakfast's call'd, my time doth fill;

Then round my acres (few) I trot,

To see what's done and what is not,

Give orderswhat ought to be done.

Then sometimes take my Dog and Gun.  

Under an aged spreading Oak.

At noon I take a favorite Book

To shun the heat and feed the Mind,

In elbow chain I sit reclined.

When dinner's call'd, I feel prepar'd

For to refresh from frugal board;

When Table's cleared, and dinner ends

With Cheerfull Glass drink absent Friends.

In afternoon, when weather's fair; 

And business suits, on Horse or Chair;

For exercise, or see a Friend,

My Better Half and I attend,

Or ere the sun sinks in the West

Or tunefull birds skim to their Nests

To walk thro Groves, and grass'y Fields

Contemplating what  Nature yealds.

At eve' within my peaceful Cot,

Sometimes I meet, and sometimes not,

The Person, Docter; or some Friend,

Or neighbor kind, one hour to spend;

In social chat, our time we pass;

Drink all our Friends, in parting Glass

The Person, Docter; neighbor gone,

We prepare for Bed, and so trudge on,

~Paul Revere

People of Canton

Canton in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era