LIBRARY

UNIVERST. Y

OF CALIFORN

His warm but semple home where he enjoys
With her who shares his pleasures, and his heart,
Sweet converse, sipping calm the fragrant lumph.

Lash Book 3rd

BOOK III,

THE GARDEN.

THE ARGUMENT.

Self-recollection and reproof.-Address to domestic happiness.→ Some account of myself.-The vanity of many of their pursuits who are reputed wise.-Justification of my censures.-Divine illumination necessary to the most expert philosopher.-The question, What is truth? answered by other questions.-Domestic happiness addressed again.—Few lovers of the country. -My tame hare.-Occupations of a retired gentleman in his garden. - Pruning. Framing. - Greenhouse. Sowing of flower-seeds-The country preferable to the town even in the winter.-Reasons why it is deserted at that season.- -Ruinpus effects of gaming and of expensive improvement.-Book concludes with an apostrophe to the metropolis.

As one who, long in thickets and in brakes

Entangled, winds now this way and now that
His devious course uncertain, seeking home;
Or, having long in miry ways been foil'd

Self-recollection.

And sore discomfited, from slough to slough
Plunging, and half despairing of escape;

If chance at length he find a greensward smooth
And faithful to the foot, his spirits rise,

He chirrups brisk his ear-erecting steed,
And winds his way with pleasure and with ease ;
So I, designing other themes, and call'd

Tadorn the Sofa with eulogium due,

To tell its slumbers, and to paint its dreams,
Have rambled wide. In country, city, seat
Of academic fame (howe'er deserv'd),
Long held, and scarcely disengag'd at last,
But now, with pleasant pace, a cleanlier road
I mean to tread. I feel myself at large,
Courageous, and refresh'd for future toil,
If toil await me, or if dangers new.

Since pulpits fail, and sounding-boards reflect Most part an empty ineffectual sound,

What chance that I, to fame so little known,

Self-Reproof.

Nor conversant with men or manners much,
Should speak to purpose, or with better hope
Crack the satiric thong? 'Twere wiser far
For me, enamour'd of sequester'd scenes,
And charm'd with rural beauty, to repose, [vine,
Where chance may throw me, beneath elm or
My languid limbs, when summer sears the plains;
Or, when rough winter rages, on the soft
And shelter'd Sofa, while the nitrous air
Feeds a blue flame, and makes a cheerful hearth;
There, undisturb'd by folly, and appriz'd
How great the danger of disturbing her,
To muse in silence, or at least confine
Remarks that gall so many to the few
My partners in retreat. Disgust conceal'd
Is oft-times proof of wisdom, when the fault
Is obstinate, and cure beyond our reach.

Domestic happiness, thou only bliss Of Paradise that has surviv'd the fall!