For all the favage din of the fwift pack, And clamours of the field? detefted sport, Of filent tears and heart-diftending fighs? Well-one at leaft is fafe. One fhelter'd hare Has never heard the fanguinary yell Of cruel man, exulting in her woes. Innocent partner of my peaceful home, Much of her vigilant inftinctive dread, Not needful here, beneath a roof like mine. Yes-thou may'st eat thy bread, and lick the hand That feeds thee; thou may'ft frolic on the floor At evening, and at night retire secure Το To thy ftraw couch, and flumber unalarm'd; For I have gain'd thy confidence, have pledg'd I knew at least one hare that had a friend. How various his employments, whom the world Calls idle, and who justly, in return, Efteems that busy world an idler too! Friends, books, a garden, and perhaps his pen, And nature in her cultivated trim Drefs'd to his tafte, inviting him abroad- Is but a loan to be repaid with use, When He fhall call his debtors to account, From whom are all our bleffings, bus'nefs finds To its juft point, the service of mankind. That has a heart and keeps it; has a mind Has business; feels himself engag'd t' achieve Sought in still water, and beneath clear skies. He that is ever occupied in storms, Or Or dives not for it, or brings up instead, The morning finds the felf-fequefter'd man His warm but fimple home, where he enjoys, In selfish filence, but imparted oft As aught occurs that she may fmile to hear, Or if the garden with its many cares, All well repay'd, demand him, he attends The welcome call, conscious how much the hand Of Jubbard labor needs his watchful eye, Oft loit'ring lazily, if not o'erfeen, Or mifapplying his unskilful strength. 4 Nor Nor does he govern only or direct, But much performs himself. No works indeed Not tire, demanding rather skill than force. With pleasure more than ev'n their fruits afford, Which, fave himself who trains them, none can feel: These therefore are his own peculiar charge, No meaner hand may difcipline the shoots, None but his fteel approach them. What is weak, Diftemper'd, or has loft prolific pow'rs, Impair'd by age, his unrelenting hand Dooms to the knife: nor does he spare the foft But barren, at th' expence of neighb'ring twigs Large |