Poems

ARGUMENT of the First Book.

Historical deduction of seats, from the flool to the Sofa.

A School-boy's ramble.- A walk in the country. -
The scene described. -- Rural sounds as well as fights
delightful.- Another walk.-- Mistake, concerning
the charms of folitude, corrected.-Colonades com-
mended. Alcove and the view from it.-The Wil.
derness.-The Grove.-The Thresher.-The necef-
fity and the benefits of exercise.—The works of nature
superior to and in some instances inimitable by art.-
The weari someness of what is commonly called a life of
pleasure.-Change of scene fometimes expedient,
A common described, and the chara&er of crazy Kate
introduced.-Gipfies, -The bleffings of civilized life.
-That flate most favourable to virtue.--The South
Sea Islanders compaffionated, but chiefly Omai.--
His present state of mind fup, ofed. - Civilized life
friendly to virtue, but not great cities. -Great cities,
and London in particular, allowed their due praise,
but cenfured.- Fete Champetre. --The book concludes
with a reflection an the fatal effects of disipation and
effeminacy upon our public measures,

THE

TA S K.

BOOK I.

THE

S OF A.

I Sora

NG the Sofa. I who lately sang Truth, Hope and Charity *, and touch'd with

awe

The solemn chords, and with a trembling hand,
Escap'd with pain from that advent'rous flight,
Now seek repose upon an humbler theme;
The theme though humble, yet august and proud
Th' occafion— for the Fair commands the song.
Time was, when cloathing sumptuous or for

use, Save their own painted skins, our fires had none. As

yet black breeches were not ; fattin smooth,

* See vol. i.

VOL. II.