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 wine.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 -Ruinous effects of gaming, and of expensive improvement.-Book concludes with an apostrophe to the metropolis. THE TASK. BOOK III. THE GARDEN. As s one, who long in thickets and in brakes If chance at length he find a greensward smooth He cherups brisk his ear-erecting steed, And winds his way with pleasure and with ease; So I, designing other themes, and call'd T' adorn the Sofa with eulogium due, To tell it's slumbers, and to paint it's dreams, But now with pleasant pace a cleanlier road Since pulpits fail, and sounding boards reflect T Most part an empty ineffectual sound, What chance that I, to fame so little known, SH Nor conversant with men or manners much, 6710 And charm'd with rural beauty, to repose, por. 267 Where chance may throw me, beneath elm or vine, My languid limbs, when summer sears the plains; Or, when rough winter rages, on the softsrol And shelter'd Sofa, while the nitrous air 430 Feeds a blue flame, and makes a cheerful hearth;r To muse in silence, or at least confine Is ofttimes proof of wisdom, when the faultR Is obstinate, and cure beyond our reach. Domestic Happiness, thou only bliss Of Paradise, that hast surviv'd the fall vitur al Though few now taste thee unimpair'd and pure, In all our crowded streets; and senates seem Than to release th' adultress from her bond.' The frequency of crimes has wash'd them white! W By all that priz'd it; not for prud'ry's sake, "Twas hard perhaps on here and there a waif, buÀ Desirous to return, and not receiv'd: That purity, whose loss was loss of all. Men too were nice in honour in those days, A And judg'd offenders well. Then he that sharp'd, He that sold His Country, or was slack when she requir'd His ev'ry nerve in action and at stretch, Paid with the blood, that he had basely spar'd, We are become so candid and so fair, So lib'ral in construction, and so rich In christian charity, (good-natur'd age!) Transgress what laws they may. Well dress'd, well] bred, |