THE GARDEN BY A. COWLEY 



As the chief help and joy of human life, 



He gave him the first gift; first, ev'n before a wife, garden 



made 

 III 



For God, the universal architect, 



J T had been as easy to erect 

 A Louvre or Escurial, or a tower 

 That might with heaven communication hold, 

 As Babel vainly thought to do of old: 



He wanted not the skill or power; 



In the world's fabric those were shown, 

 And the materials were all his own. 

 But well he knew, what place would best agree 

 With innocence, and with felicity : 

 And we elsewhere still seek for them in vain ; 

 If any part of either yet remain, 

 If any part of either we expect, 

 This may our judgment in the search direct; 

 God the first garden made, and the first city, 

 Cain. 



IV 



O blessed shades ! O gentle cool retreat 



From all th' immoderate heat 

 In which the frantic world does burn and sweat ! 

 This does the lion-star, ambition's rage; 

 This avarice, the dog-star's thirst assuage ; 

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