“When Epicurus to the world had taught
That pleasure is the chiefest good,
(And was, perhaps, i’th’ right, if rightly understood),
His life he to his doctrine brought,
And in a garden’s shade that Sovereign pleasure sought:
Whoever a true Epicure would be.
May there find cheap and virtuous luxury.
Vitellius his table which did hold
As many creatures as the ark of old—
That fiscal table to which every day
All countries did a constant tribute pay—
Could nothing more delectable afford
Than Nature’s Liberality—
Helped with a little Art and Industry—
Allows the meanest gardener’s board.
The wanton Taste no Flesh nor Fowl can choose,
For which the Grape or Melon it would lose,
Though all th’ inhabitants of Earth and Air
Be listed in the Glutton’s bill of fare.
* * * * * * * *
Scarce any Plant is growing here.
Which against Death some weapon does not bear.
Let Cities boast that they provide
For life the ornaments of Pride;
But ’tis the Country and the Field
That furnish it with Staff and Shield.