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 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 one who, long in thickets and in brakes If chance at length he find a greensward smooth He chirrups 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 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. I mean to tread. I feel myself at large, Since pulpits fail, and sounding-boards reflect Most part an empty ineffectual sound, What chance that I, to fame so little known, Nor conversant with men or manners much, 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 Domestic happiness, thou only bliss Of Paradise that has surviv'd the fall! Thou art the nurse of virtue-in thine arms That reeling goddess with a zoneless waist And wand'ring eyes, still leaning on the arm For thou art meek and constant, hating change, And finding, in the calm of truth-tried love, In all our crowded streets; and senates seem Than to release th' adultress from her bond. |