Society, and that faps and worms the base Swarms in all quarters; meets the eye, the ear, Spawn'd in the muddy beds of Nile, came forth, ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK. Sef-recollection and reproof.—Address to domestic happiness. -Some account of myself.—The vanity of many of their pursuits who are reputed wife.-Juftification of my cenfures.-Divine illumination necessary to the most expert philofopher. The question, What is truth? answered by other questions.-Domestic happiness addressed 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.—Reasons why it is deferted at that season-Ruinous effects of gaming, and of expenfive improvement.-Book concludes with an apoftrophe to the metropolis. THE TASK. As BOOK III. THE GARDEN. one who, long in thickets and in brakes Entangled, winds now this way and now that His devious course uncertain, seeking home; Or, having long in miry ways been foil'd And fore discomfited, from flough to flough Plunging and half despairing of escape; If chance at length he find a greenfward smooth He chirrups brifk his ear-erecting steed, To tell its flumbers, and to paint its dreams, Have rambled wide. In country, city, feat Since pulpits fail, and founding boards reflect Where chance may throw me, beneath elm or vine, And fhelter'd Sofa, while the nitrous air Feeds a blue flame, and makes a cheerful hearth; How great the danger of disturbing her, |