The future Peace and Glory of the Church Prayer for a Blessing I will praise the LORD at all Times The Negro's Complaint Pity for poor Africans ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK. Hiftorical deduction of feats, from the flool to the Sofa. A fchool boy's ramble.-A walk in the country.-The feene defcribed-Rural founds as well as fights delight ful.-Another walk.-Miftake concerning the charms of folitude corrected.—Colonnades commended.— Alcove, and the view from it.The wilderness.-The grove. -The threfter. The neceffity and benefits of exercife.-The works of nature superior to, and in fome inflances inimitable by, art.-The wearisomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure.--Change of fcene fometimes expedient.-A common defcribed, and the character of crazy Kate introduced.Gipfies.The bleffings of civilized life.-That flate moft favourable to virtue. The South Sea Islanders compaffion ated, but chiefly Omai. His prefent fate of mind fuppofed.-Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities. Great cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praife, but cenfured.-Fete champetre.-The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of diffipation and effeminacy upon our public measures. THE TASK. BOOK I. THE SOFA. ISING the Sofa. I, who lately fang Truth, Hope, and Charity *, and touch'd with awe Time was, when clothing fùmptuous or for use, Save their own painted fkins, our fires had none. black breeches were not; fattin fmooth, Or velvet foft, or plush with fhaggy pile: As yet The hardy chief upon the rugged rock And fway'd the fceptre of his infant realms; At length a generation more refin'd Improv'd the fimple plan; made three legs four, And o'er the seat, with plenteous wadding stuff'd2 |