These ears, alas! for other notes repine;

5

A different object do these eyes require: My lonely anguish melts no heart but mine; And in my breast the imperfect joys expire. Yet morning smiles the busy race to cheer, And new-born pleasure brings to happier men: 10 The fields to all their wonted tribute bear: To warm their little loves the birds complain: I fruitless mourn to him that cannot hear, And weep the more, because I weep in vain.

ODE

ON THE DEATH OF A FAVORITE CAT

DROWNED IN A TUB OF GOLD FISHES

'Twas on a lofty vase's side,°
Where China's gayest art had dyed

The azure flowers that blow;
Demurest of the tabby kind,
The pensive Selima, reclined,
Gazed on the lake below.

Her conscious tail her joy declared;
The fair round face, the snowy beard,
The velvet of her paws,

Her coat, that with the tortoise vies,
Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes,

She saw; and purred applause.

5

10

Still had she gazed; but midst the tide
Two angel forms were seen to glide,

The Genii of the stream:
Their scaly armor's Tyrian hue
Through richest purple to the view
Betrayed a golden gleam.

The hapless nymph with wonder saw:
A whisker first, and then a claw,

With many an ardent wish,

She stretched, in vain, to reach the prize.
What female heart can gold despise?
What Cat's averse to fish?

Presumptuous maid! with looks intent
Again she stretched, again she bent,
Nor knew the gulf between.
(Malignant Fate sat by, and smiled,)
The slippery verge her feet beguiled,
She tumbled headlong in.

Eight times emerging from the flood,
She mewed to every watery God,

Some speedy aid to send.
No Dolphin came, no Nereid° stirred;
Nor cruel Tom nor Susan heard,

A favorite has no friend!

From hence, ye beauties, undeceived,
Know, one false step is ne'er retrieved,
And be with caution bold.

15

20

25

30

35

Not all that tempts your wandering eyes
And heedless hearts is lawful prize.
Nor all, that glisters, gold.°

AWAKE, Æolian lyre, awake,°

And give to rapture all thy trembling strings.
From Helicon's harmonious springs

40

A thousand rills their mazy progress take: The laughing flowers that round them blow, Drink life and fragrance as they flow. Now the rich stream of music winds along, Deep, majestic, smooth, and strong, Through verdant dales, and Ceres' golden reigno:

5

Now rolling down the steep amain,

10

Headlong, impetuous, see it pour;

The rocks and nodding groves rebellow to the roar.

1. 2

Oh! Sovereign of the willing soul,° Parent of sweet and solemn-breathing airs, Enchanting shell°! the sullen Cares

15

And frantic Passions hear thy soft control.

C

Quenched in dark clouds of slumber lie

The terror of his beak, and lightnings of his eye.

With antic Sport, and blue-eyed Pleasures,
Frisking light in frolic measures;
Now pursuing, now retreating,

30

Now in circling troops they meet: To brisk notes in cadence beating,

Glance their many-twinkling feet. Slow melting strains their Queen's approach declare. Where'er she turns, the Graces homage pay.

35

With arms sublime, that float upon the air,

In gliding state she wins her easy way:

O'er her warm cheek, and rising bosom, move
The bloom of young Desire and purple light of Love.

40

II. 1

Man's feeble race what ills await!

Labor, and Penury, the racks of Pain,
Disease, and Sorrow's weeping train,

And Death, sad refuge from the storms of fate! 45

The fond complaint, my song, disprove,

And justify the laws of Jove.

Say, has he given in vain the heavenly Muse?

Night and all her sickly dews,

Her spectręs wan, and birds of boding cry,

50

He gives to range the dreary sky;

Till down the eastern cliffs afar°

Hyperion's march they spy, and glittering shafts of

war.

II. 2

In climes beyond the solar road, Where shaggy forms o'er ice-built mountains roam,

Their feather-cinctured chiefs, and dusky loves.
Her track, where'er the goddess roves,

Glory pursue, and generous Shame,

64

The unconquerable Mind, and freedom's holy flame.