1 190
2 XII.
3 If you a recipe for Death, require —
4 Drink, when o’erheated, ice-cold water ;
5 The effect of which, when freely you perspire,
6 Is, to produce of health a complete slaughter :
7 Should this not fully act to your desire,
8 It will to comfort leave but little quarter ;
9 And a consuming, slow, yet sure decay,
10 Will take, midst sufferings, life, at length, away.
11 XIII.
12 But above all things, let us never fail
13 To seek the freshest and the purest air ;
14 The richest blessing in the world's vast pale.
15 Either for peasants, courtiers, or the fair ;
16 Without it, all creation would grow stale,
17 And Death usurp dominion everywhere ;
18 All animated nature through its aid
19 Is vivified, and from destruction stayed :
20 XIV.
21 ’Tis the balsamic stay of human life,
22 Increasing strength, and general health bestowing ;
23 All those who slight it, set themselves at strife
24 With the Creator’s aim, with good o’erflowing :
25 Enjoy the bracing air when Spring is rife
26 With balmy odors, gentle zephyr's blowing ;
27 They are rich stores of nature’s vital wealth,
28 Producing length of days and perfect health.
29 xv.
30 Therefore I say to those who age admire,
31 In the free air gaily yourselves disport ;
32 And of its virtues full supply acquire,
33 By vigorous exercise and merry sport ;
34 So may each one most healthfully respire,
35 And strengthen every outwork of life's fort ;
36 By air and exercise the body thrives,
37 And men of sense thus lengthen out their lives.