92 The H 1 S T O R Y Chap, i, 



adds the Eifample of Allans ^ a very poor, 

 but pious and obfcure Perfon, 

 3/r. Steele. " The Oracle being ask'd by Gy^es (a 

 " rich King ofLydia) Who was the Wifeft 

 " Man? Reply *d, Aglaus. Gyges, who ex- 

 *' pefted to have he^rd himfelf nam'd on this 

 *' Occa(i{^n, was very much fur prizd^ and 

 *^ curious to know who thisyf^/jz^j fhould 

 " be ^ and after much enquiry, he was found 

 " to be an obfcure Countryman, who employed 

 ^* all his Time in cultivating a Garden ^nd 

 *^ a few Acres of Land about his Houfe. *^ otK 

 *• which Subjed the admirable and feraphick 

 *^ Cowley has poetiz'd and concluded : 



After long Search and vain Enquiry , fafi 

 In an obfcure Arcadian Vak^ , at lajl 

 r>&' Arcadian Ufe has always jbady been,' ,.ri^ 

 Near Sopho'j Town (which he but once hadfeeny 

 This Aglaus, who Monarchs Envy drew^ 

 Whofe Happinefs the Gods Jl'ood iVitnefs to 3 

 This mighty Aghns he was Jab'ring found 

 With his own Hands in his own little Ground. 



So, Gracious God I ( if it may lawful he^ 

 Among fl thofe foolifl) Gods, to mention Thee) 

 So let me aU onfuch a private Stage 

 The lafl dull Scene of my declining Age : 

 After iQng Toilfs and Voyages in vain^ 

 This quiet Poxt let my tofsdVeffel gain 

 ^fHeavnly Rejl ^ this Eameji to me lend:, 

 l^et my LifeJl^ep^ and Jeam^fo love her End. 



And 



