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. BOOK III. As THE GARDE N. S one who, long in thickets and in brakes 5 If chance at length he find a green-sward smooth He chirrups brisk his ear-erecting steed, And winds his way with pleasure and with ease; 10 So I, designing other themes, and call'd To tell its slumbers, and to paint its dreams, Have rambled wide. In country, city, seat Since pulpits fail, and sounding-boards reflect Most part an empty ineffectual sound, What chance that I, to fame so little known, 15 20 25 Where chance may throw me, beneath elm or vine, 30 Feeds a blue flame, and makes a cheerful hearth; How great the danger of disturbing her, 35 To muse in silence, or at least confine Remarks that gall so many, to the few My partners in retreat. Disgust conceal'd Is Oft-times proof of wisdom, when the fault Is obstinate, and cure beyond our reach. 40 Of Paradise that has surviv'd the fall! Domestic happiness, thou only bliss Though few now taste thee unimpair'd and pure, 45 50 For thou art meek and constant, hating change, 55 Forsaking thee, what shipwreck have we made 60 In all our crowded streets; and senates seem Than to release the adultress from her bond. 65 70 And chaste themselves, are not asham'd to own. 75 Her sex's honour, was renounc'd herself By all that priz'd it; not for prudery's sake, 'Twas hard, perhaps, on here and there a waif, Desirous to return, and not receiv'd; 80 But was an wholesome rigour in the main, And taught the unblemish'd to preserve with care 85 And judg'd offenders well. Then he that sharp'd, Was mark'd and shunn'd as odious. He that sold His country, or was slack when she requir'd His every nerve in action and at stretch, 90 Paid, with the blood that he had basely spar'd, Well dress'd, well bred, 95 100 (And no man's hatred ever wrong'd her yet) May claim this merit still-that she admits The worth of what she mimics with such care, And thus gives virtue indirect applause; But she has burnt her mask, not needed here, 105 Where vice has such allowance, that her shifts I was a stricken deer, that left the herd 110 115 He drew them forth, and heal'd, and bade me live. Since then, with few associates, in remote |