U YE KNOW NOT THE HOUR U 



Nor broad Carnations, nor gay spotted Pinks, 

 Nor showered from every bush the damasked 

 Rose. 



JAMES THOMSON. 



The Seasons 



The Garden 



Oh, blest seclusion from a jarring world, 

 Which he, thus occupied enjoys! Retreat 

 Cannot indeed to guilty man restore 

 Lost innocence, or cancel follies past, 

 But it has peace, and much secures the mind 

 From all assaults of evil, proving still 

 A faithful barrier, not o'erleaped with ease 

 By vicious Custom, raging uncontrolled 

 Abroad, and desolating public life. 



Had I the choice of sublunary good, 



What could I wish, that I possess not here? 



Health, leisure, means to improve it, friendship, 



peace, 



No loose or wanton, though a wondering Muse, 

 And constant occupation without care. 



[H3] 



