THE TASK. BOOK I. THE SOFA. 1 ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK. Historical deduction of seats, from the Stool to the Sofa-A Schoolboy's ramble-A walk in the country-The scene described-Rural sounds as well as sights delightful-Another walk-Mistake concerning the charms of solitude correctedColonnades commended--Alcove, and the view from it-The wilderness-The grove-The thresher-The necessity and be nefit of exercise-The works of nature superiour to, and in some instances inimitable by, art-The wearisomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure-Change of scene sometimes expedient-A common described, and the character of crazy Kate introduced-Gipsies-The blessings of civilized life-That state most favourable to virtue-The South Sea islanders compassionated, but chiefly Omai-His present state of mind supposed-Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities-Great cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praise, but censured-Fête champêtre-The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of dissipation and effeminacy upon our public measures. I SING the Sofa. I, who lately sang Truth, Hope, and Charity,* and touch'd with awe *See Poems, Vol. I. 5 10 Thrown up by wintry torrents roaring loud, And sway'd the sceptre of his infant realms: By worms voracious eating through and through. Improv'd the simple plan; made three legs four, 30 And o'er the seat, with plenteous wadding stuff'd, 35 The full-blown rose, the shepherd and his lass, Lap-dog and lambkin with black staring eyes, And parrots with twin cherries in their beak. Now came the cane from India smooth and bright With Nature's varnish; sever'd into stripes, 40 Of texture firm a lattice-work, that brac'd These for the rich; the rest, whom Fate had plac'd With base materials, sat on well-tann'd hides, 45 50 |