Stand up unconscious, and refute the charge. So, when the Jewish leader ftretch'd his arm, Spawn'd in the muddy beds of Nile, came forth, ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK. Self-recollection and reproof.—Address to domestic happinefs.-Some account of myself.-The vanity of many of their purfuits who are reputed wife.-Fuftification of my cenfures.-Divine illumination necessary to the most expert philofopher.-The question, What is truth? anfwered by other questions.-Domestic happiness addreffed 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 feafon.—Ruinous effects of gaming and of expenfive improvement.-Book concludes with an apostrophe to the metropolis. THE TA S K. BOOK III. THE GARDE N. As one who, long in thickets and in brakes If chance at length he find a greenfward smooth And winds his way with pleasure and with ease; T'adorn the Sofa with eulogium due, To tell its flumbers, and to paint its dreams, Since pulpits fail, and founding-boards reflect Most pårt an empty ineffectual found, What chance that I, to fame fo little known, Nor converfant with men or manners much, Should fpeak to purpose, or with better hope Crack the fatiric thong? 'Twere wifer far For me, enamour'd of fequefter'd scenes, And charm'd with rural beauty, to repose, Where chance may throw me, beneath elm or vine, My languid limbs, when fummer fears the plains; |