ON THE CHOICE OF A GARDEN SITE. 27 



" Over head up grew 



Insuperable height of loftiest shade. 



Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm, 



A sylvan scene ; and as the ranks ascend. 



Shade above shade, a woody theatre 



Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops 



The verdurous wall of Paradise up-sprung : 



Which to our general sire gave prospect large 



Into his nether empire neighbouring round; 



And higher than that wall a circling row 



Of goodliest trees, loaden with fairest fruit, 



Blossoms and fruit at once, of golden hue, 



Appear'd with gay enamel'd colours mix'd." 

 This is followed by a vivid description of the interior, such as taste and genius 

 may emulate, for it paints in '' thoughts that breathe and words that burn," 

 an epitome of the art of landscape gardening. Earth, air, and water are all 

 operated upon and made subservient to the development of the highest amount 

 of beauty. Sight, smell, taste, in turn partake of its charms. 

 *' Southward through Eden went a I'iver large 



Nor changed his course, but through the shaggy hill 



Pass'd underneath ingulf'd ; for God had thrown 



That mountain as his garden mould, high raised 



Upon the rapid current, which through veins 



Of porous earth with kindly thirst up-drawn, 



Eose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill 



Water'd the garden; thence united fell 



Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood. 



Which from his darksome passage now appears." 

 From this gorgeous scene Art is called upon to tell how 



" From that sapphire fount, the crisped brooks. 



Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold. 



With mazy error under pendent shades 



Han nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 



Flowers worthy of Paradise, which not nice art 



In beds and curious knots, but nature boon 



Pour'd forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plaia." 

 In this ''happy rural seat of various views," of groves — 



" Whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm, 



Others whose fruit burnish'd with golden riud ; 



Hung amiable, 



Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks 



Grazing the tender herb, were interposed ; 



On palmy hillock : or the flowery lap 



Of some irriguous valley spread her store. 



Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose." 

 To this smiling picture, murmuring waters and "fringed banks," with ''myrtle 

 crowned" add their charms — 



" The birds their choir apply ; airs, vernal air3. 



Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune 



The trembling leaves." 



