cxii THE GARDEN 



6. 



When Epicurus to the World had taught, 



That Pleasure was the Chiefest Good, 

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



His Life he to his Doctrine brought, 

 And in a Gardens Shade that Sovereign Pleasure sought. 

 Whoever a true Epicure would be, 

 May there find cheap and virtuous Luxury. 

 Vitellius his Table, which did hold 

 As many Creatures as the Ark of old : 

 That Fiscal Table, to which every day 

 All Countries did a constant Tribute pay, 

 Could nothing more delicious afford, 



Than Natures Liberality, 

 Helpt with a little Art and Industry, 



Allows the meanest Gard'ners board. 

 The wanton Taste no Fish or Fowl can choose, 

 For which the Grape or Melon she would loose, 

 Though all th' Inhabitants of Sea and Air 

 Be listed in the Gluttons Bill of Fare ; 



Yet still the Fruits of Earth we see 

 Plac'd the third Story high in all her Luxury. 



But with no Sense the Garden does comply ; 

 None courts or flatters, as it does the Eye : 

 When the great Hebrew King did almost strain 

 The wond'rous Treasures of his Wealth and Brain, 

 His Royal Southern Guest to entertain ; 



Though she on Silver Floors did tread, 

 With bright Assyrian Carpets on them spread, 

 To hide the Metals Poverty : 

 Though she look'd up to Roofs of Gold, 

 And nought around her could behold 

 But Silk and rich Embroidery, 

 And Babylonian Tapistry, 



