CHAP. XVI.] THE FOURTH DA Y. 177 



these, and many other field flowers, so perfumed the air, that I 

 thought that very meadow Uke that field in Sicily of which Dio- 

 dorus speaks, where the perfumes arising from the place make all 

 dogs that hunt in it to fall off, and to lose their hottest scent ■* I 

 say, as I thus sat, joying in my own happy condition, and pitying 

 this poor rich man that owned this and many other pleasant groves 

 and meadows about me, I did thankfully remember what my 

 Saviour said, that the meek possess the earth ; ^ or rather, they 

 enjoy what the others possess, and enjoy not ; for anglers and 

 meek, quiet-spirited men are free from those high, those restless 

 thoughts, which corrode the sweets of life ; and they, and ^ they 

 only, can say, as the poet has happily exprest it — 



Hail ! blest estate of lowliness ; 



Happy enjoyments of such minds 

 As, rich in seif-contentedness, 



Can, like the reeds, in roughest winds, 

 By yielding make that blow out small 

 At which proud oaks and cedars fall. 



There came also into my mind at that time certain verses in 

 praise of a mean estate and humble mind : they were written by 

 Phineas Fletcher,f an excellent divine, and an excellent angler ; and 

 the author of excellent " Piscatory Eclogues," in which you shall 

 see the picture of this good man's mind : and I wish mine to be 

 like it. 



No empty hopes, no courtly fears him fright ; 



No begging wants his middle fortune bite : 

 But sweet content exiles both misery and spite. 



His certain life, that never can deceive him. 

 Is full of thousand sweets, and rich content ; 



The smooth-leav'd beeches in the field receive him, . 

 With coolest shade, till noontide's heat be spent. 



His life is neither tost in boisterous seas. 



Or the vexatious world, or lost in slothful ease ; 

 Pleas'd and full blest he lives, when he his God can please. 



His bed, more safe than soft, yields quiet sleeps, 

 While by his side his faithful spouse has place ; 



His little son into his bosom creeps, 

 The lively picture of his father's face. 



VARIATION. 



1 for indeed they are free from those high, those restless thoughts, &c. — u/ and-zd 

 edit. 



* Diodorus Siculusi lib. v. 3. p. 331, vol. i. ed. Wessellingii. 



t He is thus noticed in the second edition, where this poem first occurs, " written by 

 Phineas Fletcher, an excellent Angler, who in his Purple Island has so excellently 

 imitated our Spenser's Fairie Queen. 



No empty hopes," &c. 

 Phineas Fletcher was the son of Giles Fletcher, Doctor of Laws, and ambassador from' 

 Queen Elizabeth to the Duke of Muscovy. He was fellow of King's College, Cambridge, 

 and the author of an allegorical poem, entitled the Purple Island, printed at Cambridge, 

 with other of his poems, in 410, 1633 ; from whence the passage in the text, with a little 

 variation, is taken. 



M 



