THE TASK. BOOK I. THE SOFA. ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK. Historical deduction of seats, from the Stool to the Sofa-A Schoolboy's ramble-A walk in the country-The scene described -Rural sounds as well as sights delightful-Another walkMistake concerning the charms of solitude corrected-Colonnades commended-Alcove, and the view from it-The wilderness—. The grove-The thresher-The necessity and benefit of exercise -The works of nature superiour to, and in some instances inimitable by, art-The wearisomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure-Change of scene sometimes expedient-A common described, and the character of crazy Kate introducedGipsies-The blessings of civilized life-That state most favourable to virtue-The South Sea islanders compassionated, but chiefly Omai-His present state of mind supposed-Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities-Great cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praise, but censured-Fête champêtre-The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of dissipation and effeminacy upon our public measures. I SING the Sofa. I, who lately sang Truth, Hope, and Charity,* and touch'd with awe 10 Thrown up by wintry torrents roaring loud, 15 20 And sway'd the sceptre of his infant realms: And such in ancient halls and mansions drear May still be seen; but perforated sore, 25 And drill'd in holes, the solid oak is found, By worms voracious eating through and through. Improv'd the simple plan; made three legs four, 30 And o'er the seat, with plenteous wadding stuff'd, 35 The full-blown rose, the shepherd and his lass, Lapdog and lambkin with black staring eyes, And parrots with twin cherries in their beak. Now came the cane from India, smooth and bright, With nature's varnish; sever'd into stripes, 40 That interlac'd each other, these supplied Of texture firm a lattice-work, that brac'd The new machine, and it became a chair. With base materials, sat on well-tann'd hidos, 45 50 |