The tree of life, when it in Eden stood, If, through the strong and beauteous fence And wholesome labours, and a quiet mind, They must not think here to assail A land unarmed, or without a guard; Scarce any plant is growing here, Which against death some weapon does not bear. Let cities boast, that they provide For life the ornaments of pride; But 'tis the country and the field, IX. Where does the wisdom and the power divine Than when we with attention look -staff and shield.] i. e. bread and physic; the former, to sustain man's life, and the latter, to guard it against disease and sickness. If we could open and intend our eye, Although no part of mighty nature be God has so ordered, that no other part X. We no where art do so triumphant see, -flowers of heaven-stars of earth.] A poetical conversion, much to the taste of Mr. Cowley; but the prettier and easier, because many plants and flowers are of a radiate form, and are called stars, not in the poet's vocabulary only, but in that of the botanist and florist: as, on the other hand, the stars of heaven "Blushing in bright diversities of day" as the poet says of the garden's "bloomy bed,” very naturally present themselves under the idea, and take the name of flowers.-Hurd. It imitates her Maker's power divine, And changes her sometimes, and sometimes does refine: It does, like grace, the fallen tree restore Who would not joy to see his conquering hand Ev'n she, that chaste and virgin tree, That she's a mother made, and blushes in her fruit. XI. Methinks, I see great Dioclesian walk In the Salonian garden's noble shade, Which by his own imperial hands was made: -that worthy is of Galatea's purple kiss.] An idea conceived and expressed in the best manner of Shakspeare.-Hurd. With the ambassadors, who come in vain, "If I, my friends (said he) should to you show To thank the gods, and to be thought, myself, almost a god. VI. OF GREATNESS. "SINCE we cannot attain to greatness," says the Sieur de Montagne,* "let us have our revenge by railing at it:" this he spoke but in jest. I believe he desired it no more than I do, and had less reason; for he enjoyed so plentiful and honourable a fortune in a most excellent country, as allowed him all the real conveniences of it, separated and purged from the incommodities. If I were but in his condition, I should think it hard measure, with The Sieur de Montagne and Mr. Cowley are our two great models of essay-writing. Both have this merit; that they paint themselves, their own characters and humours: and thus far the resemblance holds. But the French essayist drew his own picture out of vanity, and a preposterous one too, as the likeness does him no honour; our amiable countryman gave us his, out of the abundance of a good heart, which overflowed with all the sentiments of probity, and virtue.Hurd. out being convinced of any crime, to be sequestered from it, and made one of the principal officers of state. But the reader may think that what I now say is of small authority, because I never was, nor ever shall be, put to the trial: I can therefore only make my protestation, If ever I more riches did desire Than cleanliness and quiet do require : I know very many men will despise, and some pity me, for this humour, as a poor-spirited fellow : but I am content; and, like Horace, thank God for being so. "Dî bene fecerunt, inopis me quodque pusilli Finxerunt animi."t I confess, I love littleness almost in all things. A little convenient estate, a little cheerful house, a little company, and a very little feast; and, if I were ever to fall in love again (which is a great passion, and therefore I hope I have done with it,) * If e'er ambition, &c.] Why are these verses in every one's mouth, but because they are the language of the heart? If writers would consult their invention less, and their honest affections more, they would be longer lived than they generally are. What a great poet said, dotingly, to his mistress, should have been addressed to one of his own profession : "Ah, friend, to dazzle let the vain design; To raise the thought, and touch the heart, be thine." |