Book iii

. The Garden. Line 566._

I burn to set the imprison'd wranglers free, And give them voice and utterance once again. Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast, Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round, And while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn Throws up a steamy column, and the cups That cheer but not inebriate[420-1] wait on each, So let us welcome peaceful evening in.

_The Task. Book iv . The Winter Evening. Line 34._

Which not even critics criticise.

_The Task. Book iv . The Winter Evening. Line 51._

What is it but a map of busy life, Its fluctuations, and its vast concerns?

_The Task.