62 THE GARDENS OF EPICURUS 



The measure of choosing well, is, whether a man 

 likes what he has chosen, which I thank God has 

 befallen me ; and though among the follies of my 

 life, building and planting have not been the least, and 

 have cost me more than I have the confidence to own ; 

 yet they have been fully recompensed by the sweetness 

 and satisfaction of this retreat, where, since my 

 resolution taken of never entering again into any 

 publick employments, I have passed five years without 

 ever going once to town, though I am almost in sight 

 of it, and have a house there always ready to receive 

 me. Nor has this been any sort of affectation, as 

 some have thought it, but a mere want of desire or 

 humour to make so small a remove ; for when I am 

 in this corner I can truly say v/ith Horace, 



Me quoties reficit gelidus Digentia rivus, 

 Quid sentire putas, quid credis amice precare ? 

 Sit mihi quod nunc est etiam minus, ut mihi vivam, 

 Quod superest aevi, si quid superesse volent Dii. 

 Sit bona librorum, et provisae frugis in annum 

 Copia, ne dubiae fluitem spe pendulus horae, 

 Hoc satis est orasse Jovem qui donat et aufert. 



Me when the cold Digentian stream revives, 

 What does my friend believe I think or ask ? 

 Let me yet less possess, so I may live, 

 Whate'er of life remains, unto myself. 



