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These for the rich: the rest, whom fate had placed
In modeft mediocrity, content

With base materials, fat on well-tann'd hides
Obdurate and unyielding, glaffy smooth,

With here and there a tuft of crimson yarn,
Or fcarlet crewel in the cushion fixt:

If cushion might be call'd, what harder feem'd
Than the firm oak of which the frame was form'd,
No want of timber then was felt or fear'd

In Albion's happy ifle. The umber stood
Pond'rous, and fixt by its own maffy weight.
But elbows ftill were wanting; thefe, fome fay,
An Alderman of Cripplegate contrived,
And some ascribe the invention to a priest
Burly and big and studious of his ease.
But rude at firft, and not with easy slope
Receding wide, they prefs'd against the ribs,
And bruised the fide, and elevated high
Taught the rais'd fhoulders to invade the ears.
Long time elapfed or e'er our rugged fires

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Complain'd, though incommodiously pent in,

And ill at ease behind. The Ladies first
'Gan murmur, as became the fofter fex.
Ingenious fancy, never better pleas'd

Than when employ'd t' accommodate the fair,
Heard the sweet moan with pity, and devised
The foft fettee; one elbow at each end,

And in the midft an elbow, it receiv'd

United

yet divided, twain at once.

So fit two Kings of Brentford on one throne;
And fo two citizens who take the air

Clofe pack'd and fmiling in a chaife and one.
But relaxation of the languid frame

By soft recumbency of outstretched limbs,
Was bliss reserved for happier days. So flow
The growth of what is excellent, so hard
T'attain perfection in this nether world.
Thus first neceffity invented stools,
Convenience next fuggefted elbow chairs,
And luxury th' accomplished Sofa last.

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The nurse fleeps fweetly, hired to watch the fick Whom fnoring the disturbs. As fweetly he

Who quits the coach-box at the midnight hour
To fleep within the carriage more fecure,
His legs depending at the open door.
Sweet fleep enjoys the Curate in his desk,
The tedious Rector drawling o'er his head,
And fweet the Clerk below: but neither fleep
Of lazy Nurse, who fnores the fick man dead,
Nor his who quits the box at midnight hour
To flumber in the carriage more fecure,
Nor fleep enjoy'd by Curate in his desk,
Nor yet the dozings of the Clerk are sweet,
Compared with the repofe the SOFA yields.

Oh may I live exempted (while I live
Guiltlefs of pamper'd appetite obfcene)
From pangs arthritic that infeft the toe
Of libertine excefs. The SOFA fuits
The gouty limb, 'tis true; but gouty limb

Though

Though on a SOFA, may I never feel:
For I have loved the rural walk through lanes
Of graffy swarth close cropt by nibbling fheep,
And skirted thick with intertexture firm

Of thorny boughs: have loved the rural walk
O'er hills, through valleys, and by rivers brink,
E'er fince a truant boy I pafs'd my bounds
T'enjoy a ramble on the banks of Thames.
And still remember, nor without regret
Of hours that forrow fince has much endear'd,
How oft, my flice of pocket ftore confumed,
Still hung'ring pennyless and far from home,
I fed on fcarlet hips and ftony haws,
Or blushing crabs, or berries that imboss
The bramble, black as jet, or floes austére.
Hard fare but fuch as boyish appetite
Difdains not, nor the palate undepraved
By culinary arts unfav'ry deems.

No SOFA then awaited my return,

Youth repairs

Nor SOFA then I needed.

B 4

His

His wafted fpirits quickly, by long toil

Incurring fhort fatigue; and though our years
As life declines, fpeed rapidly away,

And not a year but pilfers as he goes

Some youthful grace that age would gladly keep, A tooth or auburn lock, and by degrees

Their length and color from the locks they spare;
Th' elastic spring of an unwearied foot

That mounts the ftile with eafe, or leaps the fence,
That play of lungs inhaling and again
Refpiring freely the fresh air, that makes
Swift pace or steep ascent no toil to me,
Mine have not pilfer'd yet; nor yet impair'd

My relish of fair profpect; fcenes that footh'd
Or charm'd me young, no longer young,
I find
Still foothing and of power to charm me ftill.
And witness, dear companion of my walks,
Whofe arm this twentieth winter I perceive
Faft lock'd in mine, with pleasure fuch as love
Confirm'd by long experience of thy worth

And

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