2 THE PRAISE OF SECT. I. 



both just and honourable. The agreeable Cowley 

 speaks of his darling subject of nature as enjoyed in 

 a garden, thus: 



When GOD dicl man to His own likeness make, 

 As much as clay, tho' of the purest kind, 

 (By the -great potter's art retin'd) 

 Could toe divine impression take, 

 He thought it tit to place him, where 

 A kind of heaven too did appear, 

 9v As far as earth could such a likeness bear ! 

 .8fiui ]o:That man no happiness might want, f^jcnic'O 

 OfjfJ 'Which earth to her first master could afford ; 



He did a garden for him ; plant ? 

 By the quick hand of his omnipotent word; 

 Asthe chief help and joy of human life, 

 He gave him the first gift, ^eveh -before a wife. 



And w : ell he knew, what place would best agree, 



"With INNOCENCE and with FELICITY. 

 And W-efse where still '-steek for them in vain, 



if any part <# either yet remain. 



If any part df either we expect " j t: 

 f bo?'Th^> m'^y our judgment in the search direct; 

 Si/iff? ^* 'kfi first garden made, and the first -.city, rutu'/* 



n.-ul Wheri - Bpietinte fa the world had taught 

 ? 2? That [pleasure was the chiefest good, 

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

 n . f tlis life he to-his doctrine brought, 



And i.n a gardens shade, that sovereign pleasure sought. 



Whoever a true epicure would be, 

 May there -find cheap and virtuous luxury. 



Nor does this happy place only dispense 



Such various pleasures to the sense, 



Here health itself does live, 

 That salt of life, which does to all a relish give, 



Its standing pleasure, and intrinsic worth, 

 The body's virtue, and the soul's good fortune, health, 



Methinks I see great Dioclesian walk 

 In the Salomon garden's noble shade, 

 Winch by his own imperial hands was made : 



