And way'd his rod divine, a race obscene, And the land stank....so num'rous was the fry. ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK. 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 flowerseeds....The country preferable to the town even in the winter....Reasons why it is deserted at that season....Ruinous effects of gaming and of expensive improvement....Book concludes with an apostrophe to the metropolis. THE TASK. BOOK III. THE GARDEN. AS one who, long in thickets and in brakes If chance at length he find a greensward smooth He chirrups brisk his ear-erecting steed, T' adorn the Sofa with eulogium due, To tell its slumbers, and to paint its dreams, G Courageous, and refresh'd for future toil, If toil await me, or if dangers new. Since pulpits fail, and sounding-boards reflect And shelter'd Sofa, while the nitrous air Domestic happiness, thou only bliss Of paradise that has surviv'd the fall! |