Alexander Pope on Gardens

“To build, to plant, whatever you intend, To rear the column, or the arch to bend, To swell the terrace, or to sink the grot, In all, let Nature never be forgot.”

“Grove nods at grove, each alley has a brother, And half the platform just reflects the other. The suff'ring eye inverted nature sees, Trees cut in statues, statues thick as trees; With here a fountain never to be play'd, And there a summer-house that knows no shade.”

“Consult the genius of the place in all, That tells the waters or to rise, or fall, Or helps th'ambitious hill the heav'ns to scale, Or scoops in circling theatres the vale, Calls in the country, catches opening glades, Joins willing woods, and varies shades from shades, Now breaks, or now directs, th'intending lines, Paints as you plant, and, as you work, designs.”