Stanzas subjoined to a Bill of Mortality for 1793

On a Goldfinch starved to Death in his Cage

The Pineapple and the Bee

Verses written at Bath, on finding the Heel of a Shoe

An Ode, on reading Richardson's History of Sir Charles

Grandison

An Epistle to Robert Lloyd, Esq.

286

288

290

A Tale, founded on a Fact, which happened in Jan. 1779 293

To the Rev. Mr. Newton, on his Return from Ramsgate 295

Love Abused

295

Gratitude

Lines composed for a Memorial of Ashley Cowper, Esq. 309

On the Queen's Visit to London

. 310

To the immortal Memory of the Halibut, on which I dined 318

Inscription for a Stone erected at the sowing of a Grove

In Memory of the late John Thornton, Esq.

To the Nightingale which the Author heard sing on New

Lines written in an Album of Miss Patty More's .

Sonnet to William Wilberforce, Esq.

Epigram on refining sugar

To Dr. Austin, of Cecil Street, London

Catharina on her Marriage to George Courtenay, Esq. 341

Epitaph on Fop, a dog belonging to Lady Throckmorton 342

Sonnet to George Romney, Esq.

Mary and John

Epitaph on Mr. Chester, of Chicheley

To my Cousin, Anne Bodham

Inscription for a Hermitage in the Author's Garden

To Mrs. Unwin

To John Johnson, on his presenting me with an Antique

Bust of Homer

To a young Friend

On a Spaniel called Beau, killing a young bird

Beau's Reply

343

344

344

345

345

Account of the Author's Treatment of his Hares

354

Answer to Stanzas addressed to Lady Hesketh, by Miss

To the Spanish Admiral Count Gravina

Inscription for the Tomb of Mr. Hamilton

Epitaph on a Hare

THE TASK. BOOK III.

THE GARDEN.

VOL. VII.

B

THE ARGUMENT.

Self-recollection and reproof-Address to domestic happiness-Some account of myself—The vanity of many of their pursuits who are reputed wise-Justification of my censures -Divine illumination necessary to the most expert philosopher-The question, What is truth? answered by other questions-Domestic happiness addressed again-Few lovers of the country-My tame hare-Occupations of a retired gentleman in his garden - Pruning - Framing-Greenhouse— Sowing of flower seeds-The country preferable to the town even in the winter-Reasons why it is deserted at that season -Ruinous effects of gaming, and of expensive improvement --Book concludes with an apostrophe to the metropolis.

THE TASK. BOOK III.

THE GARDEN.

As one who, long in thickets and in brakes
Entangled, winds now this way and now that
His devious course uncertain, seeking home;
Or, having long in miry ways been foil'd,
And sore discomfited, from slough to slough
Plunging, and half despairing of escape;
If chance at length he finds a greensward smooth
And faithful to the foot, his spirits rise,
He chirrups brisk his ear-erecting steed,
And winds his way with pleasure and with ease;
So I, designing other themes, and call'd
To adorn the Sofa with eulogium due,
To tell its slumbers, and to paint its dreams,
Have rambled wide. In country, city, seat
Of academic fame (howe'er deserved,)
Long held, and scarcely disengaged at last.
But now with pleasant pace a cleanlier road
I mean to tread. I feel myself at large,
Courageous, and refresh'd for future toil,
If toil awaits me, or if dangers new.

Since pulpits fail, and sounding boards reflect Most part an empty ineffectual sound,