XLV.
For meat, drink, cloaths, house, servants, and the rest,
Which chiefly are the body's interest,
Take this prescription: you may safely use
Such a proportion as will most conduce
To the internal welfare of your mind,
And that's as much as nature hath design'd.
Take just as much of each, as may suffice
For health, and strength'ning of your faculties;
What your necessities require, but flee
Whatever tends to pride, or luxury.
The frugal belly's easily supply'd,
With wholesome, homely fare well satisfy'd:
Nor, hungry, doth abstain from meat, because
Not dress'd with art, with some peculiar sauce:
Nor, thirsty, do you stay for choice of wine;
Nor do rich delicates your parts refine:
Nay, the mind surfeits as the body doth,
Intemperance hath the same effect on both.
Our ancestors on roots and acorns fed,
Drank the cool brook, nor felt an aking head;
Without disease or pain they liv'd to see
A numerous, and a well-grown progeny;
And were, no doubt, as witty and as wise,
Without the helps of studied rarities.
An home-spun suit, tho' coarse, will keep you warm,
And the keen winter's rigour will disarm,
Better than costly robes of Tyrian dye,
Beset with pearl, or rich embroidery.
Nor need you such a stately house, as may
Afford a different room for every day
Thro' the whole year, with a large spacious hall,
Since one small room may serve instead of all;
Since you in one may eat, drink, walk, and sleep.
And why so many servants will you keep?
Where's the necessity of all this state?
Is it below you on yourself to wait?
Have you not limbs, and health, and strength, to do
Those offices which they perform for you?
But you, perhaps, believe 'tis base, and mean,
On your own strength, on your own legs to lean.
And vainly think 'tis granted and allow'd,
That to be generous is to be proud;
And therefore when you're pleas'd to take the air,
By brawny slaves you're carried in a chair;
Therefore you hire a cook to dress your meat,
'Tis much you do not think 'tis mean to eat.
Which chiefly are the body's interest,
Take this prescription: you may safely use
Such a proportion as will most conduce
To the internal welfare of your mind,
And that's as much as nature hath design'd.
Take just as much of each, as may suffice
For health, and strength'ning of your faculties;
What your necessities require, but flee
Whatever tends to pride, or luxury.
The frugal belly's easily supply'd,
With wholesome, homely fare well satisfy'd:
Nor, hungry, doth abstain from meat, because
Not dress'd with art, with some peculiar sauce:
Nor, thirsty, do you stay for choice of wine;
Nor do rich delicates your parts refine:
Nay, the mind surfeits as the body doth,
Intemperance hath the same effect on both.
Our ancestors on roots and acorns fed,
Drank the cool brook, nor felt an aking head;
Without disease or pain they liv'd to see
A numerous, and a well-grown progeny;
And were, no doubt, as witty and as wise,
Without the helps of studied rarities.
An home-spun suit, tho' coarse, will keep you warm,
And the keen winter's rigour will disarm,
Better than costly robes of Tyrian dye,
Beset with pearl, or rich embroidery.
Nor need you such a stately house, as may
Afford a different room for every day
Thro' the whole year, with a large spacious hall,
Since one small room may serve instead of all;
Since you in one may eat, drink, walk, and sleep.
And why so many servants will you keep?
Where's the necessity of all this state?
Is it below you on yourself to wait?
Have you not limbs, and health, and strength, to do
Those offices which they perform for you?
But you, perhaps, believe 'tis base, and mean,
On your own strength, on your own legs to lean.
And vainly think 'tis granted and allow'd,
That to be generous is to be proud;
And therefore when you're pleas'd to take the air,
By brawny slaves you're carried in a chair;
Therefore you hire a cook to dress your meat,
'Tis much you do not think 'tis mean to eat.
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