به .

KER, LEVI

SNOTINONDON 2017!

But with a cherup clear and strong,

Dispersing all his dream,
I thence withdrew, and follow'd long

The winding of the stream.
My ramble ended, I return'd;

Beau, trotting far before,
The floating wreath again discern’d,

And plunging left the shore.
I saw him with that lily cropp'd

Impatient swim to meet
My quick approach, and soon he droppd

The treasure at my feet.
Charm'd with the sight," the world,” I cried,

Shall hear of this thy deed :
My dog shall mortify the pride

Of man's superior breed:
“ But chief myself I will enjoin,

Awake at duty's call,
To show a love as prompt as thine

a
To Him, who gives me all.”

THE POET, THE OYSTER, AND THE

SENSITIVE PLANT.
"An oyster, cast upon the shore,
Was heard, though never heard before,
Complaining in a speech well worded-
And worthy

thus to be recorded :-
Ah, hapless wretch! condemn’d to dwell
For ever in my native shell;
Ordain’d to move when others please,
Not for my own content or ease;
But toss'd and buffeted about,
Now in the water and now out.
"Twere better to be born a stone,
Of ruder shape, and feeling none,

a

Than with a tenderness like mine,
And sensibilities so fine!
I envy that unfeeling shrub,
Fast-rooted against ev'ry rub.”
The plant he meant grew not far off,
And felt the sneer with scorn enough;
Was hurt, disgusted, mortified,
And with asperity replied.

When cry the botanists, and stare,
Did plants call'd sensitive grow there?
No matter when—a poet's muse is,
To make them grow just where she chooses.

You shapeless nothing in a dish,
You that are but almost a fish,
I scorn your coarse insinuation,
And have most plentiful occasion,
To wish myself the rock I view,
Or such another dolt as you:
For many a grave and learned clerk,
And many a gay, unletter'd spark,
With curious touch examines me,
If I can feel as well as he';
And when I bend, retire, and shrink,
Says— Well, 'tis more than one would think !'
Thus life is spent (oh, fie upon’t !)
In being touch'd, and crying-Don't !”

A poet, in his evening walk Ol’erheard and check'd this idle talk. “ And your fine sense,” he said, “ and yours, Whatever evil it endures, Deserves not, if so soon offended, Much to be pitied or commended. Disputes, though short, are far too long, Where both alike are in the wrong ; Your feelings in their full amount, Are all upon your own account.

“You, in your grotto-work enelos’d, Complain of being thus expos'd:

Yet nothing feel in that rough coat,
Save when the knife is at your throat,
Wherever driv'n by wind or tide,
Exempt from ev'ry ill beside.

“ And as for you, my Lady Squeamish,
Who reckon every touch a blemish,
If all the plants, that can be found
Embellishing the scene around,
Should droop and wither where they grow,
You would not feel at all—not you.
The noblest minds their virtue prove
By pity, sympathy, and love:
These, these are feelings truly fine,
And
prove

their owner half divine. His censure reach'd them as he dealt it, And each by shrinking show'd he felt it.

THE SHRUBBERY. WRITTEN IN A TIME OF AFFLICTION. Oh, happy shades, to me unblest !

Friendly to peace, but not to me! How ill the scene that offers rest,

And heart that cannot rest agree! This glassy stream, that spreading pine,

Those alders quiv'ring to the breeze, Might sooth a soul less hurt than mine,

And please, if any thing could please. But fix'd, unalterable Care

Foregoes not what she feels within, Shows the same sadness ev'ry where,

And slights the season and the scene. For all that pleas'd in wood or lawn,

While Peace possess’d these silent bow'rs, Her animating smile withdrawn,

Has lost its beauties and its pow'rs.

a

The saint or moralist should tread

This moss-grown alley musing, slow;
They seek like me the sacred shade,

But not like me to nourish woe !
Me fruitful scenes and prospects waste

Alike admonish not to roam ;
These tell me of enjoyments past,

And those of sorrows yet to come.

THE WINTER NOSEGAY. Whar Nature, alas ! has denied

To the delicate growth of our isle, Art has in a measure supplied,

And Winter is deck'd with a smile. See, Mary, what beauties I bring

From the shelter of that sunny shed, Where the flow'rs have the charms of the spring,

Though abroad they are frozen and dead. "Tis a bow'r of Arradian sweets,

Where Flora is still in her prime, A fortress to which she retreats

From the cruel assaults of the clime. While Earth wears a mantle of snow,

These pinks are as fresh and as gay As the fairest and sweetest that blow

On the beautiful bosom of May. See how they have safely surviv'd

The frowns of a sky so severe; Such Mary's true love, that has liv'd

Through many a turbulent year. The charms of the late blowing rose

Seem grac'd with a livelier hue, And the winter of sorrow best shows,

The truth of a friend such as you.