Andrew Marvell(1621–1678)
The Mower against Gardens
Luxurious m a n , to bring his vice in use,5
D i d after h i m t h e world s e d u c e ,
A n d f r o m the fields the flowers and plants allure,
W h e r e N a t u re w a s m o s t plain and pure.
He first e n c l o s e d w i t h i n the gardens square
A dead and s t a n d i n g pool of air,
A n d a m o r e l u s c i o u s earth for t h e m did knead,
W h i c h s t u p e f i e d t h e m w h i l e i t fed.
T h e pink grew t h e n as d o u b l e as his mind;6
The nutriment did change the kind.
W i t h strange p e r f u m e s he did t h e roses taint;
A n d flowers t h e m s e l v e s w e r e taught to paint.
T h e tulip w h i t e did for c o m p l e x i o n seek,
A n d learned to interline its cheek;
Its o n i o n root they t h e n so h i g h did hold,
T h a t o n e w a s for a m e a d o w sold:7
Another world was searched through oceans new,
To find the Marvel of Peru; 8
A n d yet t h e s e rarities m i g h t be allowed
To m a n , that sovereign thing and proud,
H a d he not dealt b e t w e e n t h e bark and tree,9
Forbidden mixtures there to see.
No plant now knew the stock from which it came;
He grafts upon the wild the tame,
That the uncertain and adulterate 0 fruitcounterfeit
Might put the palate in dispute. 1
H i s g r e e n seraglio has its e u n u c h s too,
Lest any tyrant h i m outdo;2
A n d in the cherry he does N a t u r e vex,
To procreate w i t h o u t a sex.3
'Tis all e n f o r c e d , t h e f o u n t a i n a n d the grot,4
W h i l e t h e s w e e t fields do lie forgot,
W h e r e willing N a t u r e d o e s to all d i s p e n s e
A wild and fragrant i n n o c e n c e ;
A n d fauns5 a n d fairies do the m e a d o w s till
M o r e by their p r e s e n c e than their skill.
T h e i r statues p o l i s h e d by s o m e a n c i e n t hand,
M a y to adorn t h e gardens stand;
But, h o w s o e ' e r t h e figures do excel,
T h e G o d s t h e m s e l v e s w i t h us do dwell.