THE TASK.

BOOK III.

ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD БООК.

Self-recollection and reproof-Addrefs to domeftic happiness.-Some account of myfelf-The vanity of many of their pursuits who are reputed wife.— Juftification of my cenfures.-Divine illumination neceffary to the most expert philofopher.-The queftion, What is truth? anfwered by other queflions. Domeftic happiness addressed again. Few lovers of the country.—My tame hare.-Occupations of a retired gentleman in his garden.—Pruning.-Framing.-Greenhouse.—Sowing of flowerfeeds.-The country preferable to the town even in the winter.-Reasons why it is deserted at that feafon.-Ruinous effects of gaming and of expenfive improvement.-Book concludes with an apoftrophe to the metropolis.

THE TASK.

BOOK III.

THE GARDEN.

As one, who long in thickets and in brakes
Entangled winds now this way and now that
His devious courfe uncertain, feeking home;
Or, having long in miry ways been foiled
And fore discomfited, from flough to flough
Plunging and half despairing of escape;

If chance at length he find a greenfward smooth
And faithful to the foot, his fpirits rife,

He chirrups brifk his ear-erecting fteed,

And winds his way with pleasure and with ease;
So I, defigning other themes, and called
To adorn the Sofa with eulogium due,

To tell its flumbers, and to paint its dreams,

Have rambled wide. In country, city, feat
Of academic fame (howe'er deferved),
Long held, and scarcely difengaged at last.
But now with pleasant pace a cleanlier road
I mean to tread. I feel myself at large,
Courageous and refreshed for future toil,
If toil await me, or if dangers new.

Since pulpits fail, and founding boards reflect Most part an empty ineffectual found, What chance that I to fame fo little known, Nor converfant with men or manners much, Should speak to purpose, or with better hope Crack the fatiric thong? 'Twere wiser far For me, enamoured of fequestered scenes, And charmed with rural beauty, to repose,

Where chance may throw me, beneath elm or vine,
My languid limbs, when summer fears the plains;
Or, when rough winter rages, on the foft

And sheltered Sofa, while the nitrous air
Feeds a blue flame, and makes a cheerful hearth;
There, undisturbed by folly, and apprized
How great the danger of disturbing her,

To mufe in filence, or at leaft confine