When our first ancestors were seen, In ease, abundance, and content, Knew not what wars, or sickness meant ; But, chearful, when the Fates requir'd, Quick to th' Elysian fields retir'd, Recount the precepts they observ'd; How from their rules they never swerv'd: Such as Alcinous of old To his beloved Phaeaceans told; Or those Apollo first did teach His son, the Epidaurian leech. Long ere the Romans us'd to dine Beneath their planes manur'd with wine On Tyrian couches, thoughtless lay, And drank, and laugh'd, and kiss'd away Each sultry, circling, Summer's day: On polish'd ivory beds reclin'd, Flung care and sorrow to the wind: And, scorning Nature's temperate rules, Like madmen liv'd, and dy'd like fools: Teach us, thou learn'd judicious Sage, The manners of a wiser age! To thee was given by Jove to keep Those grottoes where the Muses sleep: To plant their forests where they sing, Fast by the cool Castalian spring: With myrtles their pavilions raise; Soft, intermix'd with Delian bays: And when, they wake at earliest day, To strew with sweetest flowers their way, Transcendent honor! here below, The Muses and their haunts to know! Anna look down on Isis' towers; The Muses' bowers, by all admir'd, But those Fanatic rage has fir'd, Or Atheist fools, who freedom boast, Themselves to slavery fetter'd most. Stern Mars, may thunder, Momus rail; But Wisdom's goodness will prevail. On Isis' banks, retirement sweet! Tritonian Pallas holds her seat. Minerva's gardens are thy care; Bobart! the Virgin-power revere ; Thy hoary head with vervain bound, The mystic grove thrice compass round; And thrice the winding walks explore: Ye strangers! guard your heedless feet, Lest from the herbs their dews ye beat: Cosmetic dews, by virgins fair, Exhal'd in May with early care, Will to their eyes fresh lustre give, And make their charms for ever live. Minerva's gardens are thy care; Jacob, the Goddess-maid revere. All plants which Europe's fields contain, For health, for pleasure, or for pain, From the tall cedar that does rise With conic pride, and mates the skies; Down to the humblest shrub that crawls On earth, or just ascends our walls, Her squares of Horticulture yield: By Danby planted, Bobart till'd. Delightful scientific shade, For knowledge, as for pleasure, made! 'Twas generous Danby first inclos'd Only the spacious earth had more: And roses blush'd where thistles bred. The Portico, next, high he rear'd, By builders now so much rever'd, Which like some rustic beauty shews, Who all her charms to Nature owes ; Yet fires the heart, and warms the head, No less than those in cities bred; Our wonder equally does raise With them, as well deserves our praise. The work of Jones's master-hand: With perfect symmetry design'd; Illustrious Danby! splendid peer! Look downward from thy radiant sphere, The Muses' thanks propitious hear. When, Albion, will thy Nobles now, Such bounty to Minerva shew? There, where old Cherwell gently leads His humid train along the meads; And courts fair Isis, but in vain, Who laughs at all his amorous pain; For younger Tamus Isis burns. Close to those towers, so much renown'd For slavery lost and freedom found: Where thy brave sons, in hapless days, Wainfleet, to thy immortal praise, Their rights municipal maintain'd Submiss, not their allegiance stain'd : To loyalty and conscience true; Gave Caesar and Themselves their due; Close to those towers, by Jove's command, The gardens of Minerva stand. There 'tis we see thee, Bobart, tend Thy favorite greens; from harms defend Exotic plants, which, finely bred |