Thy joys no glitt'ring female meets, ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE CAT, "TWAS Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes. [IBID.] WAS on a lofty vase's side, Where China's gayest art had dy'd The azure flowers, that blow; The pensive Selima, reclin'd, Her conscious tail her joy declar'd; The velvet of her paws, Her coat, that with the tortoise vies, She saw; and purr'd applause. Still had she gaz'd; but 'midst the tide Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue The hapless nymph with wonder saw : She stretch'd, in vain, to reach the prize. Presumptuous Maid! with looks intent Eight times emerging from the flood, No Dolphin came, no Nereid stir'd: A Fav'rite has no friend! From hence, ye Beauties, undeceiv'd, And be with caution bold. Not all that tempts your wand'ring eyes ON A DISTANT PROSPECT OF ETON COLLEGE. [IBID.] YE distant spires, ye antique towers, That crown the. wat❜ry glade, And ye, that from the stately brow His silver-winding way: Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shade! Where once my careless childhood stray'd, A stranger yet to pain! I feel the gales that from ye blow, As waving fresh their gladsome wing, Say, Father THAMES, for thou hast seen While some on earnest business bent, Their murmʼring labours ply 'Gainst graver hours, that bring constraint To sweeten liberty: Some bold adventurers disdain The limits of their little reign, And unknown regions dare descry: Still as they run they look behind, They hear a voice in every wind, And snatch a fearful joy.... Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed, And lively Cheer, of Vigour born; Alas! regardless of their doom No sense have they of ills to come, Yet see, how all around 'em wait The Ministers of human fate, And black Misfortune's baleful train! Ah, shew them where in ambush stand, To seize their prey, the murd'rous band! Ah, tell them they are men! |