Page:The Art of Preserving Health - A Poem in Four Books.djvu/37

B. II. And soon the tender vegetable mass Relents; and soon the young of those that tread The stedfast earth, or cleave the green abyss, Or pathless sky.And if the Steer must fall, In youth and vigor glorious let him die; Nor stay till rigid age, or heavy ails, Absolve him ill-requited from the yoke. Some with high forage, and luxuriant ease, Indulge the veteran Ox; but wiser thou, From the bleak mountain or the barren downs, Expect the flocks by frugal nature fed; A race of purer blood, with exercise Refin'd and scanty fare: For, old or young, The stall'd are never healthy; nor the cramm'd. Not all the culinary arts can tame, To wholsome food, th' abominable growth Of rest and gluttony; the prudent taste Rejects like bane such loathsome lusciousness. Rh