Fill'd with grief for what is past,
Let us at length be wise,

And the banquet boldly taste,

Since we have paid the price.

Love does easie souls despise,
Who lose themselves for toys,
And escape for those devise,
Who taste his utmost joys.

To be thus for trifles blamed,
Like theirs, a folly is,

Who are for vain swearing damn'd,

And know no higher bliss.

Love should like the year be crown'd

With sweet variety;

Hope should in the spring be found

Kind fears, and jealousie.

In the summer flowers should rise,

And in the autumn fruit;

His spring doth else but mock our eyes, And in a scoff salute.

JOHN POMFRET.

Luton, Bedfordshire, 1677-1703.

'Why is Pomfret the most popular of the English Poets? the fact is certain, and the solution would be useful.

The Choice.

IF Heaven the grateful liberty would give,
That I might choose my method how to live:
And all those hours propitious Fate should lend,
In blissful ease, and satisfaction spend;

Near some fair town I'd have a private seat,
Built uniform, not little nor too great;

Better if on a rising ground it stood;

On this side fields, on that a neighbouring wood.
It should within no other things contain,
But what are useful, necessary, plain :

Methinks 'tis nauseous; and I'd ne'er endure
The needless pomp of gaudy furniture.
A little garden grateful to the eye;
And a cool rivulet run murmuring by :

On whose delicious banks a stately row Of shady limes, or sycamore, should grow. At th' end of which a silent study placed, Should be with all the noblest authors graced : Horace and Virgil, in whose mighty lines Immortal wit, and solid learning shines; Sharp Juvenal, and amorous Ovid too, Who all the turns of love's soft passion knew: He that with judgment reads his charming lines, In which strong art with stronger nature joins, Must grant his fancy does the best excel; His thoughts so tender, and express'd so well: With all those moderns, men of steady sense, Esteem'd for learning, and for eloquence. In some of these, as fancy should advise, I'd always take my morning exercise: For sure no minutes bring us more content, Than those in pleasing, useful studies spent. I'd have a clear and competent estate, That I might live genteelly, but not great: As much as I could moderately spend ; A little sometimes t'oblige a friend.. Nor should the sons of poverty repine

Too much at fortune; they should taste of mine; And all that objects of true pity were,

Should be reliev'd with what my wants could spare;

For that our Maker has too largely given,
Should be return'd in gratitude to Heaven.
A frugal plenty should my table spread;
With healthy, not luxurious, dishes spread;
Enough to satisfy, and something more,

To feed the stranger, and the neighbouring poor.
Strong meat indulges vice, and pampering food
Creates diseases, and inflames the blood.
But what's sufficient to make nature strong,
And the bright lamp of life continue long,
I'd freely take; and, as I did possess,
The bounteous Author of my plenty bless.

I'd have a little vault, but always stored,
With the best wines each vintage could afford.
Wine whets the wit, improves its native force,
And gives a pleasant flavour to discourse :
By making all our spirits debonair,
Throws off the lees, the sediment of care.
But as the greatest blessing Heaven lends
May be debauch'd, and serve ignoble ends;
So, but too oft, the grape's refreshing juice
Does many mischievous effects produce.
My house should no such rude disorders know,
As from high drinking consequently flow;
Nor would I use what was so kindly given,
To the dishonour of indulgent Heaven.

If any neighbour came, he should be free,
Used with respect, and not uneasy be
In my retreat, or to himself or me.

What freedom, prudence, and right reason give,
All men may, with impunity, receive:

But the least swerving from their rule's too much;
For what's forbidden us, 'tis death to touch.

That life may be more comfortable yet,
And all my joys refined, sincere, and great;
I'd choose two friends, whose company would be
A great advance to my felicity:

Well-born, of humours suited to my own,
Discreet, and men as well as books have known :
Brave, generous, witty, and exactly free`
From loose behaviour or formality:

Airy and prudent; merry, but not light;

Quick in discerning, and in judging right:
Secret they should be, faithful to their trust;
In reasoning cool, strong, temperate, and just;
Obliging, open, without huffing, brave;
Brisk in gay talking, and in sober grave:
Close in dispute, but not tenacious; try'd,
By solid reason, and let that decide:

Not prone to lust, revenge, or envious hate;
Nor busy meddlers with intrigues of state :
Strangers to slander, and sworn foes to spite;
Not quarrelsome, but stout enough to fight;