2 THE PRAISE OF SECT. U 



The great Lord Bacon s opinion of gardening, given 

 in the motto of the title page, is certainly both jufl and 

 honourable. The agreeable Cowley fpeaks of his darling 

 nature as enjoyed in a garden, thus : 



When God did man to his own likenefs make, 

 As much'as clay, tho* of the pureft kind) 



(By the great potter's art refin'd) 



Could the divine impreffion take, 



He thought it fit to place him, where 



A kind of heaven too did appear, 

 As far as earth could fuch a likenefs bear ; 



That man no happinefs might want, 

 Which earth to her firft mafter could afford ; 



He did a garden for him plant, 

 By the quick hand of his omnipotent word j 

 As the chief help and joy of human life, 

 He gave him the firft gift, — even before a wife. 



And well he knew, what plaw would beft agree, 



With innocence and with felicity. 

 And we elfewhere ftill feek for them in vain, 



If any part of either yet remain. 



If any part of either we expect 

 This may our judgment in the fearch direct ; 

 God the firft garden made, and the firft city ,— -Cain* 



When Epicurus to the world had taught 



That pleafure was the chiefeft good, 

 (And was perhaps i'th'right, if rightly underftcod) 



His life he to his doctrine brought, 

 And in a garden's (hade, that fovereign pleafure 

 1 fought. 



W r hoever a true epicure would be, 

 May there find cheap and virtuous luxury. 



Nor does this happy place only difpenfe 

 Such various pleafures to the fenfe, 

 Here health itfelf docs live, 

 ■ That fait of life, which does to all a relifh give, 



Its 



