THE GARDENS OF EPICURUS 7 



falls into the life of a private man, and enjoys but 

 those pleasures and entertainments which a great 

 many several degrees of private fortune will allow, and 

 as much as human nature is capable of enjoying. 



The pleasures of the senses grow a litde more 

 choice and refined ; those of imagination are turned 

 upon embellishing the scenes he chooses to live in ; 

 ease, conveniency, elegancy, magnificence, are sought in 

 building first, and then in furnishing houses or palaces : 

 the admirable imitations of nature are introduced by 

 pictures, statues, tapestry, and other such achievements 

 of arts. And the most exquisite delights of sense are 

 pursued, in the contrivance and plantation of gardens ; 

 which with fruits, flowers, shades, fountains, and the 

 music of birds that frequent such happy places, seem 

 to furnish all the pleasures of the several senses, 

 and with the greatest, or at least the most natural 

 perfections. 



Thus the first race of Assyrian kings, after the 

 conquests of Ninus and Semiramis, passed their lives, 

 till their empire fell to the Medes. Thus the Caliphs 

 of Egypt, till deposed by their Mamalukes. Thus 

 passed the latter parts of those great lives of Scipio, 

 Lucullus, Augustus, Diocletian. Thus turned the 

 great thoughts of Henry the Second of France, after 



