Poem by John Dyer

For Doctor Mackenzie’s Book “The History of Health” Etc. 1756

When long experience, with sagacious thought,
And learning, and benevolence, and care,
Retires to form a work for human use,
No vulgar gift expect. No vulgar gift
Is that which gives, to every good we taste,
Its pleasing relish. Who will not desire
To share preventive wisdom? far, far off,
To drive the hag, distemper? Health, preserved,
With far more vigour blooms than health restored.
So high has been the strain of gratitude,
That divine honours were to Phaebus given,
And Æsculapius, and the Coan sage,
Who the Mackenzies were of ancient days. 

1. Ah Gentle Shepherd, Thine the Lot to Tend
2. To His Son
3. How to Shear Sheep
4. Written at Ocriculum, in Italy, 1725
5. Paraphrase of Part of Chapter 7 of Ecclesiastes

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