ELEGY

ON THE ENCLOSURE OF HONINGTON GREEN.


[Motives of Enclosure.--Natural Pleasures and humble Convenience lost by
it.--Recollections of the Spot.... The Mother.--The Father.--Character
of his Mind.--The Widow.... Maternal Cares.--The Green.... It's Beauties
and Pleasures.--The Enclosure in general less an object to the
Poor.--Under whatever Change the Man will adapt itself.--The new Scene
will find it's Admirers.--Pleasures are as the Mind and it's Habits.]

* * * * *

1

Improvement extends it's domain;
The Shepherds of Britain deplore
That the Coulter has furrow'd each plain,
And their calling is needful no more.
"Enclosing Land doubles its use;
When cultur'd, the heath and the moor
Will the Riches of Ceres produce,
Yet feed as large flocks as before."

2

Such a lucrative maxim as this
The Lords of the Land all pursue,