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  Beholdtheoriginalandprimitivenobilityofallthosegreatpersonswhoaretooproudnownotonlytotilltheground,butalmosttotreaduponit。Wemaytalkwhatwepleaseofliliesandlionsrampant,andspreadeaglesinfieldsd’orord’argent;butifheraldrywereguidedbyreason,aploughinafieldarablewouldbethemostnobleandancientarms。

  AlltheseconsiderationsmakemefallintothewonderandcomplaintofColumella,howitshouldcometopassthatallartsorSciences(forthedispute,whichisanartandwhichisascience,doesnotbelongtothecuriosityofushusbandmen),metaphysic,physic,morality,mathematics,logic,rhetoric,etc。,whichareall,I

  grant,goodandusefulfaculties,exceptonlymetaphysic,whichIdonotknowwhetheritbeanythingorno,butevenvaulting,fencing,dancing,attiring,cookery,carving,andsuchlikevanities,shouldallhavepublicschoolsandmasters;andyetthatweshouldneverseeorhearofanymanwhotookuponhimtheprofessionofteachingthissopleasant,sovirtuous,soprofitable,sohonourable,sonecessaryart。

  Amanwouldthink,whenhe’sinserioushumour,thatitwerebutavain,irrational,andridiculousthingforagreatcompanyofmenandwomentorunupanddowninaroomtogether,inahundredseveralposturesandfigures,tonopurpose,andwithnodesign;andthereforedancingwasinventedfirst,andonlypractisedanciently,intheceremoniesoftheheathenreligion,whichconsistedallinmummeryandmadness;thelatterbeingthechiefgloryoftheworship,andaccounteddivineinspiration。This,Isay,aseveremanwouldthink,thoughIdarenotdeterminesofaragainstsocustomaryapartnowofgoodbreeding。Andyet,whoisthereamongourgentrythatdoesnotentertainadancingmasterforhischildrenassoonastheyareabletowalk?Butdideveranyfatherprovideatutorforhissontoinstructhimbetimesinthenatureandimprovementsofthatlandwhichheintendedtoleavehim?Thatisatleastasuperfluity,andthisadefectinourmannerofeducation;andthereforeIcouldwish,butcannotinthesetimesmuchhopetoseeit,thatonecollegeineachuniversitywereerected,andappropriatedtothisstudy,aswellastherearetomedicineandthecivillaw。Therewouldbenoneedofmakingabodyofscholarsandfellows,withcertainendowments,asinothercolleges;itwouldsufficeif,afterthemannerofHallsinOxford,therewereonlyfourprofessorsconstituted(foritwouldbetoomuchworkforonlyonemaster,orPrincipal,astheycallhimthere)

  toteachthesefourpartsofit。First,aration,andallthingsrelatingtoit。Secondly,pasturage;thirdly,gardens,orchards,vineyards,andwoods;fourthly,allpartsofruraleconomy,whichwouldcontainthegovernmentofbees,swine,poultry,decoys,ponds,etc。,andallthatwhichVarrocallsVillaticasPastiones,togetherwiththesportsofthefield,whichoughtnottobelookedupononlyaspleasures,butaspartsofhousekeeping,andthedomesticalconservationandusesofallthatisbroughtinbyindustryabroad。

  Thebusinessoftheseprofessorsshouldnotbe,asiscommonlypractisedinotherarts,onlytoreadpompousandsuperficiallecturesoutofVirgil’sGeorgics,Pliny,Varro,orColumella,buttoinstructtheirpupilsinthewholemethodandcourseofthisstudy,whichmightberunthroughperhapswithdiligenceinayearortwo;andthecontinualsuccessionofscholarsuponamoderatetaxationfortheirdiet,lodging,andlearning,wouldbeasufficientconstantrevenueformaintenanceofthehouseandtheprofessors,whoshouldbemennotchosenfortheostentationofcriticalliterature,butforsolidandexperimentalknowledgeofthethingstheyteachsuchmen;soindustriousandpublicspiritedasI

  conceiveMr。Hartlibtobe,ifthegentlemanbeyetalive。Butitisneedlesstospeakfurtherofmythoughtsofthisdesign,unlessthepresentdispositionoftheageallowedmoreprobabilityofbringingitintoexecution。WhatIhavefurthertosayofthecountrylifeshallbeborrowedfromthepoets,whowerealwaysthemostfaithfulandaffectionatefriendstoit。Poetrywasbornamongtheshepherds。

  NescioquanatalesolumdulcedinemusasDucit,etimmemoresnonsinitessesui。

  TheMusesstilllovetheirownnativeplace,’Thassecretcharmswhichnothingcandeface。

  Thetruthis,nootherplaceisproperfortheirwork。Onemightaswellundertaketodanceinacrowd,astomakegoodversesinthemidstofnoiseandtumult。

  Aswellmightcornasverseincitiesgrow;

  Invainthethanklessglebeweploughandsow,Againstth’unnaturalsoilinvainwestrive,’Tisnotagroundinwhichtheseplantswillthrive。

  Itwillbearnothingbutthenettlesorthornsofsatire,whichgrowmostnaturallyintheworstearth;andthereforealmostallpoets,exceptthosewhowerenotabletoeatbreadwithoutthebountyofgreatmen,thatis,withoutwhattheycouldgetbyflatteringofthem,havenotonlywithdrawnthemselvesfromthevicesandvanitiesofthegrandworld(paritervitiisquejocisquealtiushumanisexeruerecaput)intotheinnocenthappinessofaretiredlife;buthavecommendedandadornednothingsomuchbytheirever—livingpoems。Hesiodwasthefirstorsecondpoetintheworldthatremainsyetextant(ifHomer,assomethink,precededhim,butI

  ratherbelievetheywerecontemporaries),andheisthefirstwriter,too,oftheartofhusbandry。Hehascontributed,saysColumella,notalittletoourprofession;Isupposehemeansnotalittlehonour,forthematterofhisinstructionsisnotveryimportant。Hisgreatantiquityisvisiblethroughthegravityandsimplicityofhisstyle。Themostacuteofallhissayingsconcernsourpurposeverymuch,andiscouchedinthereverendobscurityofanoracle。[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]。Thehalfismorethanthewhole。Theoccasionofthespeechisthis:hisbrotherPerseshadbycorruptingsomegreatmen([Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced],greatbribe—eatershecallsthem)gottenfromhimthehalfofhisestate。Itisnomatter,sayshe,theyhavenotdonemesomuchprejudiceastheyimagine。

  [Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced——translationbelow]

  UnhappytheytowhomGodhasnotrevealedByastronglightwhichmusttheirsensecontrol,Thathalfagreatestate’smorethanthewhole。

  Unhappy,fromwhomstillconcealeddoeslieOfrootsandherbsthewholesomeluxury。

  ThisIconceivetohavebeenhonestHesiod’smeaning。FromHomerwemustnotexpectmuchconcerningouraffairs。Hewasblind,andcouldneitherworkinthecountrynorenjoythepleasuresofit;hishelplesspovertywaslikeliesttobesustainedintherichestplaces,hewastodelighttheGrecianswithfinetalesofthewarsandadventuresoftheirancestors;hissubjectremovedhimfromallcommercewithus,andyet,methinks,hemadeashifttoshowhisgoodwillalittle。ForthoughhecoulddousnohonourinthepersonofhisheroUlysses(muchlessofAchilles),becausehiswholetimewasconsumedinwarsandvoyages,yethemakeshisfatherLaertesagardenerallthatwhile,andseekinghisconsolationfortheabsenceofhissoninthepleasureofplantingandevendunginghisowngrounds。Yet,see,hedidnotcontemnuspeasants;nay,sofarwashefromthatinsolence,thathealwaysstylesEumaeus,whokeptthehogswithwonderfulrespect,[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced],thedivineswine—herd;hecouldhavedonenomoreforMenelausorAgamemnon。AndTheocritus(averyancientpoet,buthewasoneofourowntribe,forhewrotenothingbutpastorals)gavethesameepithettoahusbandman[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]。ThedivinehusbandmanrepliedtoHercules,whowasbut[Greektext]himself。ThesewerecivilGreeks,andwhounderstoodthedignityofourcalling。AmongtheRomans,wehaveinthefirstplaceourtrulydivineVirgil,who,thoughbythefavourofMaecenasandAugustushemighthavebeenoneofthechiefmenofRome,yetchoserathertoemploymuchofhistimeintheexercise,andmuchofhisimmortalwitinthepraiseandinstructionsofarusticlife;

  who,thoughhehadwrittenbeforewholebooksofPastoralsandGeorgics,couldnotabstaininhisgreatandimperialpoemfromdescribingEvander,oneofhisbestprinces,aslivingjustafterthehomelymannerofanordinarycountryman。Heseatshiminathroneofmaple,andlayshimbutuponabear’sskin,thekineandoxenarelowinginhiscourtyard,thebirds’undertheeavesofhiswindowcallhimupinthemorning;andwhenhegoesabroadonlytwodogsgoalong,withhimforhisguard。Atlast,whenhebringsAEneasintohisroyalcottage,hemakeshimsaythismemorablecompliment,greaterthaneveryetwasspokenattheEscurial,theLouvre,orourWhitehall。

  Haec,inquit,liminavictorAlcidessubiit,haecillumRegiacepit,Aude,Hospes,contemnereopes,ettequoquedignumFingeDeo,rebusqueveninonasperegenis。

  Thishumbleroof,thisrusticcourt,saidhe,ReceivedAlcidescrownedwithvictory。

  Scornnot,greatguest,thestepswherehehastrod,Butcontemnwealth,andimitateagod。

  Thenextmanwhomwearemuchobligedto,bothforhisdoctrineandexample,isthenextbestpoetintheworldtoVirgil:hisdearfriendHorace,who,whenAugustushaddesiredMecaenastopersuadehimtocomeandlivedomesticallyandatthesametablewithhim,andtobeSecretaryofStateofthewholeworldunderhim,orratherjointlywithhim(forhesays,\"utnosinEpistolisscribendisadjuvet,\")couldnotbetemptedtoforsakehisSabineorTiburtineManor,forsorichandsogloriousatrouble。Therewasnever,I

  think,suchanexampleasthisintheworld,thatheshouldhavesomuchmoderationandcourageastorefuseanofferofsuchgreatness,andtheEmperorsomuchgenerosityandgoodnatureasnottobeatalloffendedwithhisrefusal,buttoretainstillthesamekindness,andexpressitoftentohiminmostfriendlyandfamiliarletters,partofwhicharestillextant。IfIshouldproduceallthepassagesofthisexcellentauthorupontheseveralsubjectswhichItreatofinthisbook,Imustbeobligedtotranslatehalfhisworks;ofwhichImaysaymoretrulythan,inmyopinion,hedidofHomer,\"Quiquidsitpulchrum,quidturpe,quidutile,quidnon,plenius,etmeliusChrysippo,etCrantoredicit。\"Ishallcontentmyselfuponthisparticularthemewiththreeonly,oneoutofhisOdes,theotheroutofhisSatires,thethirdoutofhisEpistles,andshallforbeartocollectthesuffragesofallotherpoets,whichmaybefoundscatteredupanddownthroughalltheirwritings,andespeciallyinMartial’s。ButImustnotomittomakesomeexcusefortheboldundertakingofmyownunskilfulpenciluponthebeautiesofafacethathasbeendrawnbeforebysomanygreatmasters,especiallythatIshoulddaretodoitinLatinverses(thoughofanotherkind)andhavetheconfidencetotranslatethem。

  IcanonlysaythatIlovethematter,andthatoughttocover,manyfaults;andthatIrunnottocontendwiththosebeforeme,butfollowtoapplaudthem。

  VIRG。GEORG。—

  Ofortunatusnimium,etc。

  ATRANSLATIONOUTOFVIRGIL

  Ohhappy(ifhishappinessheknows)

  Thecountryswain,onwhomkindHeavenbestowsAthomeallrichesthatwiseNatureneeds;

  Whomthejustearthwitheasyplentyfeeds。

  ’Tistrue,nomorningtideofclientscomes,Andfillsthepaintedchannelsofhisrooms,Adoringtherichfigures,astheypass,Intapestrywrought,orcutinlivingbrass;

  NorishiswoolsuperfluouslydyedWiththedearpoisonofAssyrianpride:

  NordoArabianperfumesvainlyspoilThenativeuseandsweetnessofhisoil。

  Insteadofthese,hiscalmandharmlesslife,Freefromth’alarmsoffear,andstormsofstrife,Doeswithsubstantialblessednessabound,Andthesoftwingsofpeacecoverhimround:

  Throughartlessgrotsthemurmuringwatersglide;

  Thicktreesbothagainstheatandcoldprovide,Fromwhencethebirdssalutehim;andhisgroundWithlowingherds,andbleatingsheepdoessound;

  Andalltherivers,andtheforestsnigh,Bothfoodandgameandexercisesupply。

  Hereawell—hardened,activeyouthwesee,Taughtthegreatartofcheerfulpoverty。

  Here,inthisplacealone,therestilldoshineSomestreaksoflove,bothhumananddivine;

  FromhenceAstraeatookherflight,andhereStillherlastfootstepsuponearthappear。

  ’Tistrue,thefirstdesirewhichdoescontrolAlltheinferiorwheelsthatmovemysoul,Is,thattheMusemeherhighpriestwouldmake;

  Intoherholiestscenesofmysterytake,Andopentheretomymind’spurgedeyeThosewonderswhichtosensethegodsdeny;

  HowinthemoonsuchchanceofshapesisfoundThemoon,thechangingworld’seternalbound。

  Whatshakesthesolidearth,whatstrongdiseaseDarestroublethefirmcentre’sancientease;

  Whatmakesthesearetreat,andwhatadvance:

  Varietiestooregularforchance。

  Whatdrivesthechariotonofwinter’slight,Andstopsthelazywaggonofthenight。

  ButifmydullandfrozenblooddenyTosendforthspiritsthatraiseasoulsohigh;

  Inthenextplace,letwoodsandriversbeMyquiet,thoughunglorious,destiny。

  Inlife’scoolvaleletmylowscenebelaid;

  Coverme,gods,withTempe’sthickestshadeHappytheman,Igrant,thricehappyheWhocanthroughgrosseffectstheircausessee:

  Whosecouragefromthedeepsofknowledgesprings。

  Norvainlyfearsinevitablethings;

  Butdoeshiswalkofvirtuecalmlygo,Throughallth’alarmsofdeathandhellbelow。

  Happy!butnextsuchconquerors,happythey,Whosehumblelifeliesnotinfortune’sway。

  TheyunconcernedfromtheirsafedistantseatBeholdtherodsandsceptresofthegreat。

  Thequarrelsofthemighty,withoutfear,Andthedescentofforeigntroopstheyhear。

  NorcanevenRometheirsteadycoursemisguide,Withallthelustreofherperishingpride。

  ThemneveryetdidstrifeoravaricedrawIntothenoisymarketsofthelaw,Thecampsofgownedwar,nordotheyliveByrulesorformsthatmanymadmengive,Dutyfornature’sbountytheyrepay,Andhersolelawsreligiouslyobey。

  Somewithboldlabourploughthefaithlessmain;

  Somerougherstormsinprinces’courtssustain。

  Someswelluptheirslightsailswithpopularfame,Charmedwiththefoolishwhistlingsofaname。

  Sometheirvainwealthtoearthagaincommit;

  Withendlesscaressomebroodingo’eritsit。

  Countryandfriendsarebysomewretchessold,TolieonTyrianbedsanddrinkingold;

  Nopricetoohighforprofitcanbeshown;

  Notbrother’sblood,norhazardsoftheirown。

  Aroundtheworldinsearchofittheyroam;

  Itmakese’entheirAntipodestheirhome。

  Meanwhile,theprudenthusbandmanisfoundInmutualdutiesstrivingwithhisground;

  AndhalftheyearhecareofthatdoestakeThathalftheyeargratefulreturnsdoesmakeEachfertilemonthdoessomenewgiftspresent,Andwithnewworkhisindustrycontent:

  Thistheyounglamb,thatthesoftfleecedothyield,Thisloadswithhay,andthatwithcornthefield:

  Allsortsoffruitcrowntherichautumn’spride:

  Andonaswellinghill’swarmstonyside,Thepowerfulprincelypurpleofthevine,Twicedyedwiththeredoubledsun,doesshine。

  Inth’eveningtoafairensuingday,Withjoyheseeshisflocksandkidstoplay,Andloadedkineabouthiscottagestand,Invitingwithknownsoundthemilker’shand;

  Andwhenfromwholesomelabourhedothcome,Withwishestobethere,andwishedforhome,Hemeetsatdoorthesoftesthumanblisses,Hischastewife’swelcome,anddearchildren’skisses。

  WhenanyruralholydaysinviteHisgeniusforthtoinnocentdelight,Onearth’sfairbedbeneathsomesacredshade,Amidsthisequalfriendscarelesslylaid,Hesingsthee,Bacchus,patronofthevine,Thebeechenbowlfoamswithafloodofwine,Nottothelossofreasonorofstrength。

  ToactivegamesandmanlysportatlengthTheirmirthascends,andwithfilledveinstheysee,Whocanthebestatbettertrialsbe。

  SuchwasthelifetheprudentSabinechose,FromsuchtheoldEtrurianvirtuerose。

  Such,Remusandthegodhisbrotherled,FromsuchfirmfootingRomegrewtheworld’shead。

  SuchwasthelifethateventillnowdoesraiseThehonourofpoorSaturn’sgoldendays:

  Beforemenbornofearthandburiedthere,Letintheseatheirmortalfatetoshare,Beforenewwaysofperishingweresought,Beforeunskilfuldeathonanvilswrought。

  Beforethosebeastswhichhumanlifesustain,Bymen,unlesstothegods’use,wereslain。

  HORAT。EPODON。

  Beatusillequiprocul,etc。

  HappytimemanwhombounteousgodsallowWithhisownhandpaternalgroundstoplough!

  Likethefirstgoldenmortals,happyhe,Frombusinessandthecaresofmoneyfree!

  Nohumanstormsbreakoffatlandhissleep,Noloudalarmsofnatureonthedeep。

  Fromallthecheatsoflawhelivessecure,Nordoesth’affrontsofpalacesendure。

  SometimesthebeauteousmarriageablevineHetothelustybridegroomelmdoesjoin;

  Sometimeshelopsthebarrentreesaround,Andgraftsnewlifeintothefruitfulwound;

  Sometimesheshearshisflock,andsometimesheStoresupthegoldentreasuresofthebee。

  Heseeshislowingherdswalko’ertheplain,Whilstneighbouringhillslowbacktothemagain。

  Andwhentheseason,richaswellasgay,Allherautumnalbountydoesdisplay,Howishepleas’dth’increasingusetoseeOfhiswelltrustedlaboursbendthetree;

  Ofwhichlargeshares,onthegladsacreddays,Hegivestofriends,andtothegodsrepays。

  Withhowmuchjoydoeshe,beneathsomeshadeByagedtrees,reverendembracesmade,Hiscarelessheadonthefreshgreenrecline,Hisheadunchargedwithfearorwithdesign。

  Byhimariverconstantlycomplains,Thebirdsaboverejoicewithvariousstrains,AndinthesolemnscenetheirorgieskeepLikedreamsmixedwiththegravityofsleep,Sleepwhichdoesalwaysthereforentrancewait,Andnoughtwithinagainstitshutsthegate。

  Nordoestheroughestseasonofthesky,OrsullenJove,allsportstohimdeny。

  Herunsthemazesofthenimblehare,Hiswell—moutheddogs’gladconcertrendstheair,Orwithgamebolder,andrewardedmore,Hedrivesintoatoilthefoamingboar;

  Herefliesthehawktoassault,andtherethenetTointerceptthetravellingfowlisset;

  Andallhismalice,allhiscraftisshownIninnocentwars,onbeastsandbirdsalone。

  Thisisthelifefromallmisfortunefree,Fromthee,thegreatone,tyrantlove,fromthee;

  Andifachasteandcleanthoughhomelywife,Beaddedtotheblessingsofthislife,—

  Suchastheancientsun—burntSabineswere,SuchasApulia,frugalstill,doesbear,—

  WhomakesherchildrenandthehousehercareAndjoyfullytheworkoflifedoesshare;

  NorthinksherselftoonobleortoofineTopinthesheepfoldortomilkthekine;

  WhowaitsatdooragainstherhusbandcomeFromruralduties,late,andweariedhome,Whereshereceiveshimwithakindembrace,Acheerfulfire,andamorecheerfulface:

  Andfillsthebowluptoherhomelylord,Andwithdomesticplentyloadtheboard。

  Notallthelustfulshell—fishofthesea,Dressedbythewantonhandofluxury,NorortolansnorgodwitsnortherestOfcostlynamesthatglorifyafeast,AreattheprincelytablesbettercheerThanlambandkid,lettuceandolives,here。

  THECOUNTRYMOUSE。

  AParaphraseuponHorace,IIBook,Satirevi。

  Atthelargefootofafairhollowtree,Closetoploughedground,seatedcommodiously,Hisancientandhereditaryhouse,Theredweltagoodsubstantialcountrymouse:

  Frugal,andgrave,andcarefulofthemain,YetonewhooncedidnoblyentertainAcitymouse,wellcoated,sleek,andgay,Amouseofhighdegree,whichlosthisway,Wantonlywalkingforthtotaketheair,Andarrivedearly,andalightedthere,Foraday’slodging。Thegoodheartyhost(Theancientplentyofhishalltoboast)

  Didallthestoresproducethatmightexcite,Withvarioustastes,thecourtier’sappetite。

  Fitchesandbeans,peason,andoats,andwheat,Andalargechestnut,thedeliciousmeatWhichJovehimself,wereheamouse,wouldeat。

  AndforahautgousttherewasmixedwiththeseTheswerdofbacon,andthecoatofcheese,Thepreciousrelics,whichatharvestheHadgatheredfromthereapers’luxury。

  \"Freely,\"saidhe,\"fallon,andneverspare,Thebounteousgodswillforto—morrowcare。\"

  Andthusateaseonbedsofstrawtheylay,Andtotheirgeniussacrificedtheday。

  Yettheniceguest’sepicureanmind(Thoughbreedingmadehimcivilseem,andkind)

  Despisedthiscountryfeast,andstillhisthoughtUponthecakesandpiesofLondonwrought。

  \"Yourbountyandcivility,\"saidhe,\"WhichI’msurprisedintheserudepartstosee,ShowthatthegodshavegivenyouamindToonobleforthefatewhichhereyoufind。

  Whyshouldasoul,sovirtuousandsogreat,Loseitselfthusinanobscureretreat?

  Letsavagebeastslodgeinacountryden,Youshouldseetowns,andmannersknow,andmen;

  Andtastethegenerousluxuryofthecourt,Whereallthemiceofqualityresort;

  Wherethousandbeauteousshesaboutyoumove,Andbyhighfarearepliantmadetolove。

  Weallerelongmustrenderupourbreath,Nocaveorholecanshelterusfromdeath。

  Sincelifeissouncertainandsoshort,Let’sspenditallinfeastingandinsport。

  Come,worthysir,comewithme,andpartakeAllthegreatthingsthatmortalshappymake。\"

  Alas,whatvirtuehathsufficientarmsToopposebrighthonourandsoftpleasure’scharms?

  Whatwisdomcantheirmagicforcerepel?

  Itdrawsthereverendhermitfromhiscell。

  Itwasthetime,whenwittypoetstell,ThatPhoebusintoThetis’bosomfell:

  Sheblushedatfirst,andthenputoutthelight,Anddrewthemodestcurtainsofthenight。

  Plainlythetruthtotell,thesunwasset,Whentothetownourweariedtravellersget。

  Toalord’shouse,aslordlyascanbe,Madefortheuseofprideandluxury,Theysome;thegentlecourtieratthedoorStops,andwillhardlyenterinbefore;—

  But’tis,sir,yourcommand,andbeingso,I’mswornt’obedience——andsointheygo。

  Behindahanginginaspaciousroom(TherichestworkofMortlake’snobleloom)

  Theywaitawhiletheirweariedlimbstorest,Tillsilenceshouldinvitethemtotheirfeast,AboutthehourthatCynthia’ssilverlightHadtouchedthepalemeridiesofthenight,Atlast,thevarioussupperbeingdone,IthappenedthatthecompanywasgoneIntoaroomremote,servantsandall,Topleasetheirnoblefancieswithaball。

  Ourhostleadsforthhisstranger,anddoesfindAllfittedtothebountiesofhismind。

  Stillonthetablehalf—filleddishesstood,Andwithdeliciousbitsthefloorwasstrewed;

  Thecourteousmousepresentshimwiththebest,Andbothwithfatvarietiesareblest。

  Theindustriouspeasanteverywheredoesrange,Andthanksthegodsforhislife’shappychange。

  Lo,inthemidstofawell—freightedpieTheybothatlastgluttedandwantonlie,Whenseethesadreverseofprosperousfate,Andwhatfiercestormsonmortalglorieswait!

  Withhideousnoise,downtherudeservantscome,Sixdogsbeforerunbarkingintoth’room;

  Thewretchedgluttonsflywithwildaffright,Andhatethefulnesswhichretardstheirflight。

  Ourtremblingpeasantwishesnowinvain。

  Thatrocksandmountainscoveredhimagain。

  Oh,howthechangeofhispoorlife,hecursed!

  \"This,ofalllives,\"saidhe,\"issuretheworst。

  Givemeagain,yegods,mycaveandwood;

  Withpeace,lettaresandacornsbemyfood。\"

  AParaphraseupontheEightiethEpistleoftheFirstBookofHorace。

  HORACETOFUSCUSARISTIUS。

  Health,fromtheloverofthecountry,me,Health,totheloverofthecity,thee,Adifferenceinoursouls,thisonlyproves,Inallthingselse,weagreelikemarrieddoves。

  ButthewarmnestandcrowdeddovehousethouDostlike;Ilooselyflyfromboughtobough;

  Andriversdrink,andalltheshiningday,UponfairtreesormossyrocksIplay;

  Infine,IliveandreignwhenIretireFromallthatyouequalwithheavenadmire。

  Likeoneatlastfromthepriest’sservicefled,Loathingthehoniedcakes,Ilongforbread。

  WouldIahouseforhappinesserect,Naturealoneshouldbethearchitect。

  She’dbuilditmoreconvenientthangreat,Anddoubtlessinthecountrychooseherseat。

  IsthereaplacedothbetterhelpssupplyAgainstthewoundsofwinter’scruelty?

  IsthereanairthatgentlerdoesassuageThemadcelestialdog’sorlion’srage?

  Isitnottherethatsleep(andonlythere)

  Nornoisewithout,norcareswithindoesfear?

  DoesartthroughpipesapurerwaterbringThanthatwhichnaturestrainsintoaspring?

  Canallyourtapestries,oryourpictures,showMorebeautiesthaninherbsandflowersdogrow?

  Fountainsandtreesourweariedpridedoplease,Eveninthemidstofgildedpalaces。

  AndinyourtownsthatprospectgivesdelightWhichopensroundthecountrytooursight。

  Mentothegood,fromwhichtheyrashlyfly,Returnatlast,andtheirwildluxuryDoesbutinvainwiththosetruejoyscontendWhichnaturedidtomankindrecommend。

  Themanwhochangesgoldforburnishedbrass,Orsmallrightgemsforlargeronesofglass,Isnot,atlength,morecertaintobemadeRidiculousandwretchedbythetrade,ThanhewhosellsasolidgoodtobuyThepaintedgoodsofprideandvanity。

  Ifthoubewise,nogloriousfortunechoose,Which’tisbutpaintokeep,yetgrieftolose。

  Forwhenweplaceeventriflesintheheart,Withtriflestoounwillinglywepart。

  Anhumbleroof,plainbed,andhomelyboard,Moreclear,untaintedpleasuresdoaffordThanallthetumultofvaingreatnessbringsTokings,ortothefavouritesofkings。

  Thehorneddeer,bynaturearmedsowell,Didwiththehorseincommonpasturedwell;

  Andwhentheyfought,thefielditalwayswon,Tilltheambitioushorsebeggedhelpofman,Andtookthebridle,andthenceforthdidreignBravelyalone,aslordofalltheplain:

  ButneveraftercouldtheridergetFromoffhisback,orfromhismouththebit。

  Sothey,whopovertytoomuchdofear,Toavoidthatweight,agreaterburdenbear;

  Thattheymightpowerabovetheirequalshave,Tocruelmasterstheythemselvesenslave。

  Forgold,theirlibertyexchangedwesee,Thatfairestflowerwhichcrownshumanity。

  Andallthismischiefdoesuponthemlight,OnlybecausetheyknownothowarightThatgreat,butsecret,happinesstoprize,That’slaidupinalittle,forthewise:

  ThatisthebestandeasiestestateWhichtoamansitsclose,butnottoostrait。

  ’Tislikeashoe:itpinches,anditburns,Toonarrow;andtoolargeitoverturns。

  Mydearestfriend,stopthydesiresatlast,Andcheerfullyenjoythewealththouhast。

  And,ifmestillseekingformoreyousee,Chideandreproach,despiseandlaughatme。

  Moneywasmade,nottocommandourwill,Butallourlawfulpleasurestofulfil。

  Shameandwoetous,ifweourwealthobey;

  Thehorsedothwiththehorsemanrunaway。

  THECOUNTRYLIFE。

  Libr。4,Plantarum。

  Blestbetheman(andblestheis)whome’er(Placedfaroutoftheroadsofhopeorfear)

  Alittlefieldandlittlegardenfeeds;

  Thefieldgivesallthatfrugalnatureneeds,ThewealthygardenliberallybestowsAllshecanask,whensheluxuriousgrows。

  Thespeciousinconveniences,thatwaitUponalifeofbusinessandofstate,Hesees(nordoesthesightdisturbhisrest)

  Byfoolsdesired,bywickedmenpossessed。

  Thus,thus(andthisdeservedgreatVirgil’spraise)

  TheoldCorycianyeomanpassedhisdays,ThushiswiselifeAbdolonymusspent:

  TheambassadorswhichthegreatemperorsentToofferhimacrown,withwonderfoundThereverendgardenerhoeingofhisground;

  Unwillinglyandslow,anddiscontent,Fromhislovedcottagetoathronehewent。

  Andofthestoppedinhistriumphantway,Andoftlookedback,andoftwasheardtosay,Notwithoutsighs,\"Alas!IthereforsakeAhappierkingdomthanIgototake。\"

  ThusAglaus(amanunknowntomen,Butthegodsknew,andthereforelovedhimthen)

  Thuslivedobscurelythenwithoutaname,Aglaus,nowconsignedtoeternalfame。

  ForGyges,therichking,wickedandgreat,PresumedatwiseApollo’sDelphicseat,Presumedtoask,\"Othou,thewholeworld’seye,SeestthouamanthathappieristhanI?\"

  Thegod,whoscornedtoflatterman,replied,\"Aglaushappieris。\"ButGygescried,Inaproudrage,\"WhocanthatAglausbe?

  Wehaveheardasyetofnosuchkingashe。\"

  Andtrueitwas,throughthewholeeartharoundNokingofsuchanamewastobefound。

  \"Issomeoldheroofthatnamealive,Whohishighracedoesfromthegodsderive?

  IsitsomemightygeneralthathasdoneWondersinfight,andgod—likehonourswon?

  Isitsomemanofendlesswealth?\"saidhe;

  \"None,noneofthese:whocanthisAglausbe?\"

  Afterlongsearch,andvaininquiriespassed,InanobscureArcadianvaleatlast(TheArcadianlifehasalwaysshadybeen)

  NearSopho’stown(whichhebutoncehadseen)

  ThisAglaus,whomonarchs’envydrew,Whosehappinessthegodsstoodwitnessto,ThismightyAglauswaslabouringfound,Withhisownhands,inhisownlittleground。

  So,graciousGod(ifitmaylawfulbe,AmongthosefoolishgodstomentionThee),Soletmeact,onsuchaprivatestage,Thelastdullscenesofmydecliningage;

  Afterlongtoilsandvoyagesinvain,Thisquietportletmytossedvesselgain;

  Ofheavenlyrestthisearnesttomelend,Letmylifesleep,andlearntoloveherend。

  THEGARDEN

  ToJ。Evelyn,Esquire。

  Ineverhadanyotherdesiresostrong,andsoliketocovetousness,asthatonewhichIhavehadalways,thatImightbemasteratlastofasmallhouseandlargegarden,withverymoderateconveniencesjoinedtothem,andtherededicatetheremainderofmylifeonlytothecultureofthemandthestudyofnature。

  Andthere(withnodesignbeyondmywall)wholeandentiretolie,Innounactiveease,andnoungloriouspoverty。

  Or,asVirgilhassaid,shorterandbetterforme,thatImighttherestudiisflorereignobilisotii,thoughIcouldwishthathehadrathersaidNobilisotiiwhenhespokeofhisown。Butseveralaccidentsofmyillfortunehavedisappointedmehitherto,anddostill,ofthatfelicity;forthoughIhavemadethefirstandhardeststeptoit,byabandoningallambitionsandhopesinthisworld,andbyretiringfromthenoiseofallbusinessandalmostcompany,yetIstickstillintheinnofahiredhouseandgarden,amongweedsandrubbish,andwithoutthatpleasantestworkofhumanindustry——theimprovementofsomethingwhichwecall(notveryproperly,butyetwecall)ourown。IamgoneoutfromSodom,butI

  amnotarrivedatmylittleZoar。\"Oh,letmeescapethither(isitnotalittleone!),andmysoulshalllive。\"Idonotlookbackyet;butIhavebeenforcedtostopandmaketoomanyhalts。Youmaywonder,sir(forthisseemsalittletooextravagantandPindaricalforprose)whatImeanbyallthispreface。Itistoletyouknow,thatthoughIhavemissed,likeachemist,mygreatend,yetIaccountmyafflictionsandendeavourswellrewardedbysomethingthatIhavemetwithby—the—by,whichis,thattheyhaveproducedtomesomepartinyourkindnessandesteem;andtherebythehonourofhavingmynamesoadvantageouslyrecommendedtoposteritybytheepistleyouarepleasedtoprefixtothemostusefulbookthathasbeenwritteninthatkind,andwhichistolastaslongasmonthsandyears。

  Amongmanyotherartsandexcellencieswhichyouenjoy,Iamgladtofindthisfavouriteofminethemostpredominant,thatyouchoosethisforyourwife,thoughyouhavehundredsofotherartsforyourconcubines;thoughyouknowthem,andbegetsonsuponthemall(towhichyouarerichenoughtoallowgreatlegacies),yettheissueofthisseemstobedesignedbyyoutothemainoftheestate;youhavetakenmostpleasureinit,andbestowedmostchargesuponitseducation,andIdoubtnottoseethatbookwhichyouarepleasedtopromisetotheworld,andofwhichyouhavegivenusalargeearnestinyourcalendar,asaccomplishedasanythingcanbeexpectedfromanextraordinarywitandnoordinaryexpensesandalongexperience。

  Iknownobodythatpossessesmoreprivatehappinessthanyoudoinyourgarden,andyetnomanwhomakeshishappinessmorepublicbyafreecommunicationoftheartandknowledgeofittoothers。AllthatImyselfamableyettodoisonlytorecommendtomankindthesearchofthatfelicitywhichyouinstructthemhowtofindandtoenjoy。

  I。

  HappyartthouwhomGoddoesblessWiththefullchoiceofthineownhappiness;

  Andhappieryet,becausethou’rtblessedWithprudencehowtochoosethebest。

  Inbooksandgardensthouhastplacedaright,—

  Thingswhichthouwelldostunderstand,Andbothdostmakewiththylaborioushand—

  Thynoble,innocentdelight,Andinthyvirtuouswife,wherethouagaindostmeetBothpleasuresmorerefinedandsweet:

  Thefairestgardeninherlooks,Andinhermindthewisestbooks。

  Oh!whowouldchangethesesoft,yetsolidjoys,Foremptyshowsandsenselessnoise,Andallwhichrankambitionbreeds,Whichseemsuchbeauteousflowers,andaresuchpoisonousweeds!

  II。

  WhenGoddidmantohisownlikenessmake,Asmuchasclay,thoughofthepurestkindBytheGreatPotter’sartrefined,CouldtheDivineimpressiontake,HethoughtitfittoplacehimwhereAkindofheaven,too,didappear,Asfarasearthcouldsuchalikenessbear。

  ThatMannohappinessmightwant,Whichearthtoherfirstmastercouldafford,HedidagardenforhimplantBythequickhandofhisomnipotentword,Asthechiefhelpandjoyofhumanlife,Hegavehimthefirstgift;first,even,beforeawife。

  III。

  ForGod,theuniversalarchitect,’ThadbeenaseasytoerectALouvre,orEscurial,oratowerThatmightwithheavencommunicationhold,AsBabelvainlythoughttodoofold。

  Hewantednottheskillorpower,Intheworld’sfabricthosewereshown,Andthematerialswereallhisown。

  ButwellheknewwhatplacewouldbestagreeWithinnocenceandwithfelicity;

  Andweelsewherestillseekfortheminvain。

  Ifanypartofeitheryetremain,Ifanypartofeitherweexpect,Thismayourjudgmentinthesearchdirect;

  Godthefirstgardenmade,andthefirstcity,Cain。

  IV。

  Oh,blessedshades!Oh,gentle,coolretreatFromalltheimmoderateheat,Inwhichthefranticworlddoesburnandsweat!

  Thisdoesthelion—star,Ambition’srage;

  ThisAvarice,thedog—star’sthirstassuage;

  Everywhereelsetheirfatalpowerwesee,Theymakeandruleman’swretcheddestiny;

  Theyneithersetnordisappear,Buttyranniseo’eralltheyear;

  Whilstwene’erfeeltheirflameorinfluencehere。

  Thebirdsthatdancefromboughtobough,Andsingaboveineverytree,Arenotfromfearsandcaresmorefree,Thanwewholie,orsit,orwalkbelow,Andshouldbyrightbesingerstoo。

  Whatprince’schoirofmusiccanexcelThatwhichwithinthisshadedoesdwell,Towhichwenothingpayorgive—

  They,likeallotherpoets,liveWithoutrewardorthanksfortheirobligingpains。

  ’Tiswelliftheybecomenotprey。

  Thewhistlingwindsaddtheirlessartfulstrains,Andagravebasethemurmuringfountainsplay。

  Naturedoesallthisharmonybestow;

  Buttoourplants,art’smusictoo,Thepipe,theorbo,andguitarweowe;

  Theluteitself,whichoncewasgreenandmute,WhenOrpheusstrucktheinspiredlute,Thetreesdancedround,andunderstoodBysympathythevoiceofwood。

  V。

  Thesearethespellsthattokindsleepinvite,Andnothingdoeswithinresistancemake;

  Whichyetwemoderatelytake;

  Whowouldnotchoosetobeawake,Whilehe’sencompassedroundwithsuchdelight;

  Totheear,thenose,thetouch,thetasteandsight?

  WhenVenuswouldherdearAscaniuskeepAprisonerinthedownybandsofsleep,Sheodorousherbsandflowersbeneathhimspread,Asthemostsoftandsweetestbed;

  Notherownlapwouldmorehavecharmedhishead。

  WhothathasreasonandhissmellWouldnotamongrosesandjasminedwell,Ratherthanallhisspiritschoke,Withexhalationsofdirtandsmoke,AndalltheuncleannesswhichdoesdrownInpestilentialcloudsapopuloustown?

  Theearthitselfbreathesbetterperfumeshere,Thanallthefemalemenorwomenthere,Notwithoutcause,aboutthembear。

  VI。

  WhenEpicurustotheworldhadtaughtThatpleasurewasthechiefestgood,(Andwasperhapsi’th’right,ifrightlyunderstood)

  Hislifehetohisdoctrinebrought,Andinagarden’sshadethatsovereignpleasuresought。

  Whoeveratrueepicurewouldbe,Maytherefindcheapandvirtuousluxury。

  Vitelliushistable,whichdidholdAsmanycreaturesastheArkofold,Thatfiscaltable,towhicheverydayAllcountriesdidaconstanttributepay,CouldnothingmoredeliciousaffordThanNature’sliberality,Helpedwithalittleartandindustry,Allowsthemeanestgardener’sboard。

  ThewantontastenofishorfowlcanchooseForwhichthegrapeormelonshewouldlose,ThoughalltheinhabitantsofseaandairBelistedintheglutton’sbilloffare;

  YetstillthefruitsofearthweseePlacedthethirdstoreyhighinallherluxury。

  VII。

  Butwithnosensethegardendoescomply,Nonecourtsorflatters,asitdoestheeye;

  WhenthegreatHebrewkingdidalmoststrainThewondroustreasuresofhiswealthandbrainHisroyalsouthernguesttoentertain,Though,sheonsilverfloorsdidtread,WithbrightAssyriancarpetsonthemspreadTohidethemetal’spoverty;

  Thoughshelookeduptoroofsofgold,AndnoughtaroundhercouldbeholdButsilkandrichembroidery,AndBabyloniantapestry,AndwealthyHiram’sprincelydye:

  ThoughOphir’sstarrystonesmeteverywherehereye;

  ThoughsheherselfandhergayhostweredressedWithalltheshininggloriesoftheEast;

  Whenlavisharthercostlyworkhaddone;

  ThehonourandtheprizeofbraveryWasbytheGardenfromthePalacewon;

  AndeveryroseandlilytheredidstandBetterattiredbyNature’shand:

  Thecasethusjudgedagainstthekingwesee,Byonethatwouldnotbesorich,thoughwiserfarthanhe。

  VIII。

  NordoesthishappyplaceonlydispenseSuchvariouspleasurestothesense:

  Herehealthitselfdoeslive,Thatsaltoflife,whichdoestoallarelishgive,Itsstandingpleasure,andintrinsicwealth,Thebody’svirtue,andthesoul’sgoodfortune,health。

  Thetreelife,whenitinEdenstood,Diditsimmortalheadtoheavenrear;

  Itlastedatallcedartilltheflood;

  Nowasmallthornyshrubitdoesappear;

  Norwillitthrivetooeverywhere:

  Italwayshereisfreshestseen,’Tisonlyhereanevergreen。

  IfthroughthestrongandbeauteousfenceOftemperanceandinnocence,Andwholesomelaboursandaquietmind,Anydiseasespassagefind,TheymustnotthinkheretoassailAlandunarmed,orwithoutaguard;

  Theymustfightforit,anddisputeithard,Beforetheycanprevail。

  ScarceanyplantisgrowinghereWhichagainstdeathsomeweapondoesnotbear,LetcitiesboastthattheyprovideForlifetheornamentsofpride;

  But’tisthecountryandthefieldThatfurnishitwithstaffandshield。

  IX。

  WheredoesthewisdomandthepowerdivineInamorebrightandsweetreflectionshine?

  WheredowefinerstrokesandcoloursseeOftheCreator’srealpoetry,ThanwhenwewithattentionlookUponthethirdday’svolumeofthebook?

  Ifwecouldopenandintendoureye,WealllikeMosesshouldespyEveninabushtheradiantDeity。

  ButwedespisethesehisinferiorwaysThoughnolessfullofmiracleandpraise;

  Upontheflowersofheavenwegaze,Thestarsofearthnowonderinusraise,ThoughtheseperhapsdomorethantheyThelifeofmankindsway。

  AlthoughnopartofmightyNaturebeMorestoredwithbeauty,power,andmystery,Yettoencouragehumanindustry,GodhassoorderedthatnootherpartSuchspaceandsuchdominionleavesforart。

  X。

  Wenowhereartdosotriumphantsee,Aswhenitgraftsorbudsthetree;

  Inotherthingswecountittoexcel,IfitadocilescholarcanappearToNature,andbutimitateherwell:

  Itover—rules,andishermasterhere。

  ItimitatesherMaker’spowerdivine,Andchangeshersometimes,andsometimesdoesrefine:

  Itdoes,likegrace,thefallen—treerestoreToitsbleststateofParadisebefore:

  WhowouldnotjoytoseehisconqueringhandO’erallthevegetableworldcommand,AndthewildgiantsofthewoodreceiveWhatlawshe’spleasedtogive?

  Hebidstheill—naturedcrabproduceThegentlerapple’swinyjuice,Thegoldenfruitthatworthyis,OfGalatea’spurplekiss;

  HedoesthesavagehawthornteachTobearthemedlarandthepear;

  HebidstherusticplumtorearAnobletrunk,andbeapeach。

  EvenDaphne’scoynesshedoesmock,Andwedsthecherrytoherstock,ThoughsherefusedApollo’ssuit,Evenshe,thatchasteandvirgintree,NowwondersatherselftoseeThatshe’samothermade,andblushesinherfruit。

  XI。

  MethinksIseegreatDiocletianwalkIntheSaloniangarden’snobleshade,Whichbyhisownimperialhandswasmade:

  Iseehimsmile,methinks,ashedoestalkWiththeambassadors,whocomeinvain,Toenticehimtoathroneagain。

  \"IfI,myfriends,\"saidhe,\"shouldtoyoushowAllthedelightswhichinthesegardensgrow;

  ’Tislikeliermuchthatyoushouldwithmestay,Than’tisthatyoushouldcarrymeaway;

  Andtrustmenot,myfriends,ifeverydayIwalknotherewithmoredelight,Thanever,afterthemosthappyfight,IntriumphtotheCapitolIrode,Tothankthegods,andtobethoughtmyselfalmostagod。

  OFGREATNESS。

  Sincewecannotattaintogreatness,saystheSieurdeMontaigne,letushaveourrevengebyrailingatit;thishespokebutinjest。

  IbelievehedesireditnomorethanIdo,andhadlessreason,forheenjoyedsoplentifulandhonourableafortuneinamostexcellentcountry,asallowedhimalltherealconveniencesofit,separatedandpurgedfromtheincommodities。IfIwerebutinhiscondition,Ishouldthinkithardmeasure,withoutbeingconvincedofanycrime,tobesequesteredfromitandmadeoneoftheprincipalofficersofstate。ButthereadermaythinkthatwhatInowsayisofsmallauthority,becauseIneverwas,norevershallbe,puttothetrial;Icanthereforeonlymakemyprotestation。

  IfeverImorerichesdiddesireThancleanlinessandquietdorequire;

  Ife’erambitiondidmyfancycheat,Withanywishsomeanastobegreat,Continue,Heaven,stillfrommetoremoveThehumbleblessingsofthatlifeIlove。

  Iknowverymanymenwilldespise,andsomepityme,forthishumour,asapoor—spiritedfellow;butIamcontent,and,likeHorace,thankGodforbeingso。Diibenefeceruntinopisme,quodquepusillifinxeruntanimi。IconfessIlovelittlenessalmostinallthings。Alittleconvenientestate,alittlecheerfulhouse,alittlecompany,andaverylittlefeast;andifIwereevertofallinloveagain(whichisagreatpassion,andthereforeIhopeI

  havedonewithit)itwouldbe,Ithink,withprettinessratherthanwithmajesticalbeauty。Iwouldneitherwishthatmymistress,normyfortune,shouldbeabonaroba,nor,asHomerusedtodescribehisbeauties,likeadaughterofgreatJupiter,forthestatelinessandlargenessofherperson,but,asLucretiussays,\"Parvula,pumilio,[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced],totamerumsal。\"

  Wherethereisonemanofthis,IbelievethereareathousandofSenecio’smind,whoseridiculousaffectationofgrandeurSenecatheelderdescribestothiseffect。Seneciowasamanofaturbidandconfusedwit,whocouldnotenduretospeakanybutmightywordsandsentences,tillthishumourgrewatlastintosonotoriousahabit,orratherdisease,asbecamethesportofthewholetown:hewouldhavenoservantsbuthugemassyfellows,noplateorhouseholdstuffbutthriceasbigasthefashion;youmaybelieveme,forIspeakitwithoutraillery,hisextravagancycameatlastintosuchamadnessthathewouldnotputonapairofshoeseachofwhichwasnotbigenoughforbothhisfeet;hewouldeatnothingbutwhatwasgreat,nortouchanyfruitbuthorse—plumsandpound—pears。Hekeptaconcubinethatwasaverygiantess,andmadeherwalk,too,alwaysinachiopins,tillatlasthegotthesurnameofSenecioGrandio,which,Messalasaid,wasnothiscognomen,buthiscognomentum。

  WhenhedeclaimedforthethreehundredLacedaemonians,whoalsoopposedXerxes’armyofabovethreehundredthousand,hestretchedouthisarmsandstoodontiptoes,thathemightappearthetaller,andcriedoutinaveryloudvoice,\"Irejoice,Irejoice!\"Wewondered,Iremember,whatnewgreatfortunehadbefallenhiseminence。\"Xerxes,\"sayshe,\"isallmineown。Hewhotookawaythesightoftheseawiththecanvasveilsofsomanyships……\"

  andthenhegoesonso,asIknownotwhattomakeoftherest,whetheritbethefaultoftheedition,ortheorator’sownburlywayofnonsense。

  ThisisthecharacterthatSenecagivesofthishyperbolicalfop,whomwestandamazedat,andyetthereareveryfewmenwhoarenot,insomethings,andtosomedegree,grandios。Isanythingmorecommonthantoseeourladiesofqualitywearsuchhighshoesastheycannotwalkinwithoutonetoleadthem?andagownaslongagainastheirbody,sothattheycannotstirtothenextroomwithoutapageortwotoholditup?Imaysafelysaythatalltheostentationofourgrandeesisjustlikeatrain,ofnouseintheworld,buthorriblycumbersomeandincommodious。Whatisallthisbutspiceofgrandio?Howtediouswouldthisbeifwewerealwaysboundtoit?Idobelievethereisnokingwhowouldnotratherbedeposedthanendureeverydayofhisreignalltheceremoniesofhiscoronation。Themightiestprincesaregladtoflyoftenfromthesemajesticpleasures(whichis,methinks,nosmalldisparagementtothem),asitwereforrefuge,tothemostcontemptibledivertisementsandmeanestrecreationsofthevulgar,nay,evenofchildren。Oneofthemostpowerfulandfortunateprincesoftheworldoflate,couldfindoutnodelightsosatisfactoryasthekeepingoflittlesingingbirds,andhearingofthemandwhistlingtothem。Whatdidtheemperorsofthewholeworld?Ifeveranymenhadthefreeandfullenjoymentofallhumangreatness(nay,thatwouldnotsuffice,fortheywouldbegodstoo)theycertainlypossessedit;andyetoneofthem,whostyledhimself\"LordandGodoftheEarth,\"couldnottellhowtopasshiswholedaypleasantly,withoutspendingconstanttwoorthreehoursincatchingofflies,andkillingthemwithabodkin,asifhisgodshiphadbeenBeelzebub。Oneofhispredecessors,Nero(whoneverputanybounds,normetwithanystoptohisappetite),coulddiverthimselfwithnopastimemoreagreeablethantorunaboutthestreetsallnightinadisguise,andabusethewomenandaffrontthemenwhomhemet,andsometimestobeatthem,andsometimestobebeatenbythem。Thiswasoneofhisimperialnocturnalpleasures;hischiefestinthedaywastosingandplayuponafiddle,inthehabitofaminstrel,uponthepublicstage;hewasprouderofthegarlandsthatweregiventohisdivinevoice(astheycalleditthen)inthosekindofprizes,thanallhisforefatherswereoftheirtriumphsovernations。Hedidnotathisdeathcomplainthatsomightyanemperor,andthelastofalltheCaesarianraceofdeities,shouldbebroughttososhamefulandmiserableanend,butonlycriedout,\"Alas!whatpityitisthatsoexcellentamusicianshouldperishinthismanner!\"

  HisuncleClaudiusspenthalfhistimeatplayingatdice;thatwasthemainfruitofhissovereignty。IomitthemadnessesofCaligula’sdelights,andtheexecrablesordidnessofthoseofTiberius。WouldonethinkthatAugustushimself,thehighestandmostfortunateofmankind,apersonendowedtoowithmanyexcellentpartsofnature,shouldbesohardputtoitsometimesforwantofrecreations,astobefoundplayingatnutsandbounding—stoneswithlittleSyrianandMoorishboys,whosecompanyhetookdelightin,fortheirpratingandtheirwantonness?

  Wasitforthis,thatRome’sbestbloodhespilt,Withsomuchfalsehood,somuchguilt?

  WasitforthisthathisambitionstroveToequalCaesarfirst,andafterJove?

  Greatnessisbarrensureofsolidjoys;

  Hermerchandise,Ifear,isallintoys;

  Shecouldnotelsesuresouncivilbe,Totreathisuniversalmajesty,HisnewcreatedDeity,Withnutsandbounding—stonesandboys。

  Butwemustexcuseherforthismeagreentertainment;shehasnotreallywherewithaltomakesuchfeastsasweimagine;herguestsmustbecontentedsometimeswithbutslendercates,andwiththesamecoldmeatsservedoverandoveragain,eventilltheybecomenauseous。Whenyouhaveparedawayallthevanity,whatsolidandnaturalcontentmentdoesthereremainwhichmaynotbehadwithfivehundredpoundsayear?notsomanyservantsorhorses,butafewgoodones,whichwilldoallthebusinessaswell;notsomanychoicedishesateverymeal;butatseveralmealsallofthem,whichmakesthemboththemorehealthyanddinemorepleasant;notsorichgarmentsnorsofrequentchanges,butaswarmandascomely,andsofrequentchange,too,asiseveryjotasgoodforthemaster,thoughnotforthetailororvalet—de—chambre;notsuchastatelypalace,norgiltrooms,northecostliersortsoftapestry,butaconvenientbrickhouse,withdecentwainscotandprettyforest—workhangings。

  Lastly(forIomitallotherparticulars,andwillendwiththatwhichIlovemostinbothconditions),notwholewoodscutinwalks,norvastparks,norfountainorcascadegardens,butherbandflowerandfruitgardens,whicharemoreuseful,andthewatereverywhitasclearandwholesomeasifitdartedfromthebreastsofamarblenymphortheurnofariver—god。Ifforallthisyoulikebetterthesubstanceofthatformerestateoflife,dobutconsidertheinseparableaccidentsofboth:servitude,disquiet,danger,andmostcommonlyguilt,inherentintheone;intheother,liberty,tranquillity,security,andinnocence:andwhenyouhavethoughtuponthis,youwillconfessthattobeatruthwhichappearedtoyoubeforebutaridiculousparadox,thatalowfortuneisbetterguardedandattendedthanahighone。Ifindeed,welookonlyupontheflourishingheadofthetree,itappearsamostbeautifulobject。

  —SedquantumverticeadaurasAEtherias,tantumradiceadTartaratendit。

  Asfaruptowardsheaventhebranchesgrow,Sofartherootsinksdowntohellbelow。

  Anotherhorribledisgracetogreatnessis,thatitisforthemostpartinpitifulwantanddistress。Whatawonderfulthingisthis,unlessitdegenerateintoavarice,andsoceasetobegreatness。Itfallsperpetuallyintosuchnecessitiesasdriveitintoallthemeanestandmostsordidwaysofborrowing,cozenage,androbbery,Mancipiislocopules,egetarisCappadocumRex。Thisisthecaseofalmostallgreatmen,aswellasofthepoorKingofCappadocia。

  Theyaboundwithslaves,butareindigentofmoney。TheancientRomanemperors,whohadtherichesofthewholeworldfortheirrevenue,hadwherewithaltolive,onewouldhavethought,prettywellatease,andtohavebeenexemptfromthepressuresofextremepoverty。Butyetwithmostofthemitwasmuchotherwise,andtheyfellperpetuallyintosuchmiserablepenury,thattheywereforcedtodevourorsqueezemostoftheirfriendsandservants,tocheatwithinfamousprojects,toransackandpillagealltheirprovinces。

  Thisfashionofimperialgrandeurisimitatedbyallinferiorandsubordinatesortsofit,asifitwereapointofhonour。Theymustbecheatedofathirdpartoftheirestates,twootherthirdstheymustexpendinvanity,sothattheyremaindebtorsforallthenecessaryprovisionsoflife,andhavenowaytosatisfythosedebtsbutoutofthesuccoursandsuppliesofrapine;\"asrichesincrease,\"saysSolomon,\"sodothemouthsthatdevourit。\"Themastermouthhasnomorethanbefore;theowner,methinks,islikeGenusinthefable,whoisperpetuallywindingaropeofhayandanassattheendperpetuallyeatingit。Outoftheseinconveniencesarisesnaturallyonemore,whichis,thatnogreatnesscanbesatisfiedorcontentedwithitself:still,ifitcouldmountupalittlehigher,itwouldbehappy;ifitcouldbutgainthatpoint,itwouldobtainallitsdesires;butyetatlast,whenitisgotuptotheverytopofthepeakofTeneriffe,itisinverygreatdangerofbreakingitsneckdownwards,butinnopossibilityofascendingupwardsintotheseatoftranquillityabovethemoon。Thefirstambitiousmenintheworld,theoldgiants,aresaidtohavemadeanheroicalattemptofscalingHeavenindespiteofthegods,andtheycastOssauponOlympusandPelionuponOssa,twoorthreemountainsmoretheythoughtwouldhavedonetheirbusiness,butthethunderspoiledalltheworkwhentheywerecomeuptothethirdstorey;

  Andwhatanobleplotwascrossed,Andwhatabravedesignwaslost。

  Afamouspersonoftheiroffspring,thelategiantofournation,when,fromtheconditionofaveryinconsiderablecaptain,hehadmadehimselflieutenant—generalofanarmyoflittleTitans,whichwashisfirstmountain;andafterwardsgeneral,whichwashissecond;andafterthatabsolutetyrantofthreekingdoms,whichwasthethird,andalmosttouchedtheheavenwhichheaffected;isbelievedtohavediedwithgriefanddiscontentbecausehecouldnotattaintothehonestnameofaking,andtheoldformalityofacrown,thoughhehadbeforeexceededthepowerbyawickedusurpation。Ifhecouldhavecompassedthat,hewouldperhapshavewantedsomethingelsethatisnecessarytofelicity,andpinedawayforthewantofthetitleofanemperororagod。Thereasonofthisis,thatgreatnesshasnorealityinnature,butisacreatureofthefancy——anotionthatconsistsonlyinrelationandcomparison。Itisindeedanidol;butSt。Paulteachesusthatanidolisnothingintheworld。Thereisintruthnorisingormeridianofthesun,butonlyinrespecttoseveralplaces:thereisnorightorleft,noupperhandinnature;everythingislittleandeverythingisgreataccordingasitisdiverselycompared。

  TheremaybeperhapssomevillagesinScotlandorIrelandwhereI

  mightbeagreatman;andinthatcaseIshouldbelikeCaesar——youwouldwonderhowCaesarandIshouldbelikeoneanotherinanything——andchooserathertobethefirstmanofthevillagethansecondatRome。OurCountryiscalledGreatBritain,inregardonlyofalesserofthesamename;itwouldbebutaridiculousepithetforitwhenweconsiderittogetherwiththekingdomofChina。

  That,too,isbutapitifulroodofgroundincomparisonofthewholeearthbesides;andthiswholeglobeofearth,whichweaccountsoimmenseabody,isbutonepointoratominrelationtothosenumberlessworldsthatarescatteredupanddownintheinfinitespaceoftheskywhichwebehold。TheothermanyinconveniencesofgrandeurIhavespokenofdispersedlyinseveralchapters,andshallendthiswithanodeofHorace,notexactlycopiedbutrudelyimitated。

  HORACE。LIB。3。ODE1。

  Odiprofanumvulgus,etc。

  I。

  Hence,yeprofane;Ihateyeall;

  Boththegreatvulgar,andthesmall。

  Tovirginminds,whichyettheirnativewhitenesshold,Notyetdiscolouredwiththeloveofgold(Thatjaundiceofthesoul,Whichmakesitlooksogildedandsofoul),Toyou,yeveryfew,thesetruthsItell;

  Themuseinspiresmysong,hark,andobserveitwell。

  II。

  Welookonmen,andwonderatsuchodds’Twixtthingsthatwerethesamebybirth;

  Welookonkingsasgiantsoftheearth,Thesegiantsarebutpigmiestothegods。

  ThehumblestbushandproudestoakArebutofequalproofagainstthethunder—stroke。

  Beautyandstrength,andwit,andwealth,andpowerHavetheirshortflourishinghour,Andlovetoseethemselves,andsmile,Andjoyintheirpre—eminenceawhile;

  Evensointhesameland,Poorweeds,richcorn,gayflowerstogetherstand;

  Alas,deathmowsdownallwithanimpartialhand。

  III。

  Andallyoumen,whomgreatnessdoessoplease,Yefeast,Ifear,likeDamocles。

  Ifyouyoureyescouldupwardsmove,(Butyou,Ifear,thinknothingisabove)

  YouwouldperceivebywhatalittlethreadTheswordstillhangsoveryourhead。

  Notideofwinewoulddrownyourcares,Nomirthormusicover—noiseyourfears;

  Thefearofdeathwouldyousowatchfulkeep,Asnottoadmittheimageofit,sleep。

  IV。

  Sleepisagodtooproudtowaitinpalaces;

  Andyetsohumble,too,asnottoscornThemeanestcountrycottages;

  Hispoppygrowsamongthecorn。

  ThehalcyonsleepwillneverbuildhisnestInanystormybreast。

  ’TisnotenoughthathedoesfindCloudsanddarknessintheirmind;

  Darknessbuthalfhisworkwilldo,’Tisnotenough;hemustfindquiettoo。

  V。

  Themanwho,inallwisheshedoesmake,DoesonlyNature’scounseltake,ThatwiseandhappymanwillneverfearTheevilaspectsoftheyear,Nortremble,thoughtwocometsshouldappear。

  Hedoesnotlookinalmanackstosee,Whetherhefortunateshallbe;

  LetMarsandSaturnintheheavensconjoin,Andwhattheypleaseagainsttheworlddesign,SoJupiterwithinhimshine。

  VII。

  Ifoftheirpleasuresanddesiresnoendbefound;

  Godtotheircaresandfearswillsetnobound。

  Whatwouldcontentyou?Whocantell?

  YefearsomuchtolosewhatyouhavegotAsifyelikeditwell。

  Yestriveformore,asifyelikeditnot。

  Go,levelhills,andfillupseas,Sparenoughtthatmayyourwantonfancyplease;

  Buttrustme,whenyouhavedoneallthis,Muchwillbemissingstill,andmuchwillbeamiss。

  OFAVARICE。

  Therearetwosortsofavarice;theoneisbutofabastardkind;

  andthatis,therapaciousappetiteofgain,notforitsownsake,butforthepleasureofrefundingitimmediatelythroughallthechannelsofprideandluxury。Theotheristhetruekind,andproperlysocalled;whichisarestlessandunsatiabledesireofriches,notforanyfurtherendofuse,butonlytohoard,andpreserve,andperpetuallyincreasethem。Thecovetousmanofthefirstkindislikeagreedyostrich,whichdevoursanymetal,butitiswithanintenttofeeduponit,andineffectitmakesashifttodigestandexcernit。Thesecondislikethefoolishchough,whichlovestostealmoneyonlytohideit。Thefirstdoesmuchharmtomankind,andalittlegoodtoo,tosomefew。Theseconddoesgoodtonone;no,nottohimself。ThefirstcanmakenoexcusetoGod,orangels,orrationalmenforhisactions。Thesecondcangivenoreasonorcolour,nottothedevilhimself,forwhathedoes:heisaslavetoMammonwithoutwages。Thefirstmakesashifttobebeloved;aye,andenvied,too,bysomepeople。Thesecondistheuniversalobjectofhatredandcontempt。Thereisnovicehasbeensopeltedwithgoodsentences,andespeciallybythepoets,whohavepursueditwithstoriesandfables,andallegoriesandallusions;

  andmoved,aswesay,everystonetoflingatit,amongallwhich,I

  donotrememberamorefineandgentlemen—likecorrectionthanthatwhichwasgivenitbyonelineofOvid’s。

  Desuntluxuriaemalta,avaritiaeomnia。

  Muchiswantingtoluxury;alltoavariceTowhichsayingIhaveamindtoaddonememberandrenderitthus:—

  Povertywantssome,luxurymany,avariceallthings。

  Somebodysaysofavirtuousandwiseman,thathavingnothing,hehasall。Thisisjusthisantipode,who,havingallthings,yethasnothing。Heisaguardianeunuchtohisbelovedgold:Audivieosamatoresessemaximossednilpotesse。Theyarethefondestlovers,butimpotenttoenjoy。

  And,oh,whatman’sconditioncanbeworseThanhis,whomplentystarves,andblessingscurse?

  Thebeggarsbutacommonfatedeplore,Therichpoorman’semphaticallypoor。

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