THE GARDENS OF EPICURUS 65 



May I have books enough, and one year's store^ 

 Not to depend upon each doubtful hour ; 

 This is enough of mighty Jove to pray, 

 Who, as he pleases, gives and takes away. 



That which makes the cares of gardening more 

 necessary, or at least more excusable, is, that all men 

 eat fruit that can get it ; so as the choice is, only 

 whether one will eat good or ill ; and between these 

 the difference is not greater in point of taste and 

 delicacy, than it is of health : for the first, I will only 

 say, that whoever has used to eat good, will do very 

 great penance when he comes to ill : and for the 

 other, I think nothing is more evident, than as ill or 

 unripe fruit is extremely unwholesome, and causes so 

 many untimely deaths, or so much sickness about 

 autumn, in all great cities where 'tis greedily sold as 

 well as eaten ; so no part of diet, in any season, is so 

 healthful, so natural, and so agreeable to the stomach, 

 as good and well-ripened fruits ; for this I make the 

 measure of their being good ; and let the kinds be 

 what they will, if they will not ripen perfectly in our 

 climate, they are better never planted, or never eaten. 

 I can say it for myself at least, and all my friends, that 

 the season of summer fruits is ever the season of health 

 with us, which I reckon from the beginning of June 



