Thus, conscience freed from every clog, You laugh-'tis well-The tale applied May make you laugh on t'other side. Renounce the world-the preacher cries. We do a multitude replies. While one as innocent regards Some love a concert, or a race; Reviled and loved, renounced and follow'd, Thus, bit by bit, the world is swallow'd; Each thinks his neighbour makes too free, Yet likes a slice as well as he; With sophistry their sauce they sweeten, Till quite from tail to snout 'tis eaten. ON THE DEATH OF MRS. (now LADY) THROCKMORTON'S BULFINCH. YE nymphs! if e'er your eyes were read Where Rhenus strays his vines among, Or only with a whistle bless'd, The honours of his ebon poll Were brighter than the sleekest mole; With which Aurora decks the skies, Above, below, in all the house, And Bully's cage supported stood Well-latticed-but the grate, alas! But smooth with wands from Ouse's side, LADY THROCKMORTON'S BULFINCH. 177 Night veil'd the pole, all seem'd secure : Subsistence to provide, A beast forth sallied on the scout, He, entering at the study door, And something in the wind Conjectured, sniffing round and round, Just then, by adverse fate impress'd, For, aided both by ear and scent, His teeth were strong, the cage was wood- O had he made that too his prey; Might have repaid him well, I wote, Maria weeps the Muscs mourn- The cruel death he died. THE ROSE. THE rose had been wash'd, just wash'd in a shower, The plentiful moisture encumber'd the flower, The cup was all fill'd, and the leaves were all wet, To weep for the buds it had left with regret I hastily seized it, unfit as it was For a nosegay, so dripping and drown'd; And such, I exclaim'd, is the pitiless part Regardless of wringing and breaking a heart This elegant rose, had I shaken it less, Might have bloom'd with its owner awhile; And the tear, that is wiped with a little address, May be follow'd perhaps by a smile. THE DOVES. I. REASONING at every step he treads, While meaner things, whom instinct leads, II. One silent eve I wander'd late, III. Our mutual bond of faith and truth IV. While innocence without disguise, Shall fill the circles of those eyes, V. Those ills, that wait on all below, Or gently felt, and only so, As being shared with thee. VI. When lightnings flash among the trees, Or kites are hovering near, I fear lest thee alone they seize, And know no other fear. |