ex THE GARDEN 



By the quick hand of his Omnipotent Word. 

 As the chief Help and Joy of Humane Life, 

 He gave him the first Gift ; first, ev'n before a Wife. 



For God, the universal Architect, 

 'T had been as easie to erect 

 A Louvre, or Escurial, or a Tower, 

 That might with Heav'n communication hold 

 As Babel vainly thought to do of old : 

 He wanted not the skill or power, 

 In the World's Fabrick 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 judgement in the search direct ; 

 God the first Garden made, and the first City, Cain. 



O blessed Shades ! O gentle cool retreat 



From all th' immoderate Heat, 

 In which the frantick World does burn and sweat ! 

 This does the Lion Star, Ambitions rage ; 

 This Avarice, the Dog-Stars Thirst asswage ; 

 Every where else their fatal Power we see, 

 They make and rule Man's wretched Destiny : 



They neither set, nor disappear, 



But tyrannize o'er all the Year ; 

 Whil'st we ne'er feel their Flame or Influence here. 



The Birds that dance from Bough to Bough, 



And sing above in every Tree, 



Are not from Fears and Cares more free, 



Than we who lie, or walk below, 



And should by right be Singers too. 



