THE GARDEN 79 



The tree of life, when it in Eden stood, 

 Did its immortal head to heaven rear ; 

 It lasted a tall cedar, till the flood ; 

 Now a small thorny shrub it does appear ; 



Nor will it thrive too everywhere : 



It always here is freshest seen ; 



'Tis only here an evergreen. 



If, through the strong and beauteous fence 



Of temperance and innocence, 

 And wholesome labours, and a quiet mind, 



Any diseases passage find, 



They must not think here to assail 

 A land unarm'd, or without a guard ; 

 They must fight for it, and dispute it hard, 



Before they can prevail : 



Scarce any plant is growing here, 

 Which against death some weapon does not bear, 



Let cities boast, that they provide 



For life the ornaments of pride ; 



But 'tis the country and the field, 



That furnish it with staff and shield. 1 



staff and shield] i. e. bread and physic : the former, to 

 sustain man's life, and the latter, to guard it against disease 

 and sickness. 



