THE GARDEN 



To J. Evelyn, Esq. 



I NEVER had any other desire so strong, and so 

 like to covetousness, as that one which I have had 

 always, that I might be master at last of a small house 

 and large garden, with very moderate conveniences 

 joined to them, and there dedicate the remainder of 

 my life only to the culture of them and study of nature, 



And there (with no design beyond my wall) whole and entire 



to lie, 

 In no unactive ease, and no unglorious poverty. 



Or, as Virgil has said, shorter and better for me, that 

 I might there 



Studiis florere ignobilis ' oti : 



(though I could wish that he had rather said, " nobilis 

 otii," when he spoke of his own). But several acci- 

 dents of my ill fortune have disappointed me hitherto, 

 and do still, of that felicity ; for though I have made the 

 first and hardest step to it, by abandoning all ambitions 

 and hopes in this world, and by retiring from the noise 

 ^' r g- G iv. 564. 



