He sees, that this great round-about, The world, with all its motley rout, Church, army, physic, law,
Its customs, and its businesses, Is no concern at all of his,
And says what says he?-Caw.
Thrice happy bird! I too have seen Much of the vanities of men; And, sick of having seen 'em, Would cheerfully these limbs resign For such a pair of wings as thine, And such a head between 'em.
O QUI meæ culina Argutulus choraules, Et hospes es canorus, Quâcunque commoreris, Felicitatis omen; Jucundiore cantu Siquando me salutes, Et ipse te rependam, Et ipse, quâ valebo, Remunerabo musâ.
Dicêris innocensque Et gratus inquilinus; Nec victitans rapinis, Ut sorices voraces, Muresve curiosi, Furumque delicatum Vulgus domesticorum; Sed tutus in camini Recessibus, quiete
Contentus et calore.
Beatior Cicadâ,
Quæ te referre formâ,
Quæ voce te videtur; Et saltitans per herbas,
Unius, haud secundæ, Estatis est chorista; Tu carmen integratum Reponis ad Decembrem, Lætus per universum Incontinenter annum.
Te nulla lux relinquit, Te nulla nox revisit, Non musicæ vacantem, Curisve non solutum : Quin amplies canendo, Quin amplies fruendo, Etatulam, vel omni, Quam nos homunciones Absumimus querendo, Ætate longiorem.
Translation of the Foregoing.
LITTLE inmate, full of mirth, Chirping on my kitchen hearth, Wheresoe'er be thine abode, Always harbinger of good, Pay me for thy warm retreat With a song more soft and sweet; In return thou shalt receive Such a strain as I can give.
Thus thy praise shall be express'd, Inoffensive, welcome guest!
While the rat is on the scout, And the mouse with curious snout, With what vermin else infest
Every dish, and spoil the best;
Frisking thus before the fire,
Thou hast all thine heart's desire.
Though in voice and shape they be Form'd as if akin to thee, Thou surpassest, happier far, Happiest grasshoppers that are ; Theirs is but a summer's song, Thine endures the winter long, Unimpair'd, and shrill, and clear, Melody throughout the year.
Neither night, nor dawn of day, Puts a period to thy play: Sing then-and extend thy span Far beyond the date of man.
Wretched man, whose years are spent In repining discontent,
Lives not, aged though he be,
Half a span, compared with thee.
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