6 THE ENGLISH GARDEN. 



And is the thing it fmgs. Ah Virgil ! why 80 



Leftft thou this theme to grate on modern reed ? 



Why not array it in the radiant robe 



Of thy rich diclion, give it to the guard 



Of Fame thy hand-maid, whofe immortal plume 



Had born its praife beyond the bounds of Time? 85 



Countlefs is Vegetation's verdant brood 

 As are the ftars that ftud yon cope of heaven ; 

 To marfhal all her tribes, in order'd file 

 Generic, or fpecific, might demand 



His fcience, wond'rous Swede, whofe ample mind, 90 



Like antient Tadmor's philofophic king, 

 Stretch'd from the Hyflbp creeping on the wall 

 To Lebanon's proudeft cedars. Skill like this, 

 Which fpans a copious third of Nature's realm, 

 Our art requires not, fedulous alone 95 



To note thofe general properties of fhape, 

 Dimenfion, growth, duration, ftrength, and hue, 

 Then firft impreft, when, at the dawn of time, 



The 



