That Garden of sedate Philosophy <br />Once flourished, fenced from passion and mishap, <br />A shining spot upon a shaggy map; <br />Where mind and body, in fair junction free, <br />Luted their joyful concord; like the tree <br />From root to flowering twigs a flowing sap. <br />Clear Wisdom found in tended Nature's lap <br />Of gentlemen the happy nursery. <br />That Garden would on light supremest verge, <br />Were the long drawing of an equal breath <br />Healthful for Wisdom's head, her heart, her aims. <br />Our world which for its Babels wants a scourge, <br />And for its wilds a husbandman, acclaims <br />The crucifix that came of Nazareth.<br /><br />George Meredith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-garden-of-epicurus/
