Praise of his house, his land, his lawn, his trees—
He cared not what—to praise him was to please:
Yet, though his rural neighbours called to dine,
And some might kindly praise his food and wine,
This was not certain, and, another day,
He must the visit and the praise repay.
By better motives urged—we will suppose—
He thus began his purpose to disclose 170
To his good lady:—“We have lived a year,
And never ask’d our friends the Rayners here.