and village life idealised, even if the ideal is attainable compared with that of conventional pastoral. Conversely, emigration is viewed thoroughly negatively as a horrible journey into wilderness. But then, this is a poem of exile--written by an exile. The loss of the connective tissue between a land and its people was also [Oliver] Goldsmith's personal, individual experience. He struggled for survival in England and remained impoverished until the end of his life. The only way home was on that twin-rigged sailing ship of his imagination.The Deserted Village
from Carol Rumens: The Guardian: Books blog: Poem of the week: The Deserted Village by Oliver Goldsmith
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