Stand up unconscious, and refute the charge. So when the Jewish Leader stretch'd his arm, Spawn'd in the muddy beds of Nile, came forth, And the land stank, fo num'rous was the fry. ARGUMENT of the THIRD Book. Self-recollection and reproof.-Address to domestic happinefs. Some account of myself.-The vanity of many of their purfuits who are reputed wife.-Juftification of my cenfures.-Divine illumination necessary to the most expert philofopher.-The question, What is truth? anfwered by other questions.- Domestic happiness addrefed again.-Few lovers of the country.-My tame bare.-Occupations of a retired gentleman in his garden.-Pruning.-Framing.-Greenhouse.-Sowing of flower-feeds.-The country preferable to the town even in the winter. Reafons why it is deferted at that Jeafon.-Ruinous effects of gaming and of expenfive improvement. Book concludes with an apostrophe te the metropolis. THE TA S K. BOOK III. THE GARDE N. As one who, long in thickets and in brakes If chance at length he find a green-fward smooth He chirrups brisk his ear-erecting steed, And winds his way with pleasure and with ease; T' adorn T' adorn the Sofa with eulogium due, To tell its flumbers and to paint its dreams, Long held, and scarcely difengag'd at last. Since pulpits fail, and founding-boards reflect Should speak to purpose, or with better hope For me, enamour'd of fequefter'd fcenes, And charm'd with rural beauty, to repofe Where chance may throw me, beneath elm or vine, Or 4 |