The birds, conceiving a design To forestal sweet St. Valentine, In many an orchard, copse, and grove, And with much twitter and much chatter Began to agitate the matter. At length a Bulfinch, who could boast Delivered briefly thus his mind. My friends! be cautious how ye treat The subject, upon which we meet; I fear we shall have winter yet. ( A Finch, whose tongue knew no control, With golden wing and satin poll, A last year's bird, who ne'er had tried What marriage means, thus pert replied. Methinks the gentleman, quoth she, Opposite in the apple-tree, By his good will would keep us single Till yonder Heaven and earth shall mingle, Or (which is likelier to befall) Till death exterminate us all. I marry without more ado, My dear Dick Redcap, what say you? Dick heard, and tweedling, ogling, bridling, Turning short round, strutting and sideling, Attested, glad, his approbation Of an immediate conjugation. Their sentiments so well expressed All paired, and each pair built a nest. But though the birds were thus in haste, Stepping into their nests, they paddled, Themselves were chilled, their eggs were addled; Soon every father bird and mother Grew quarrelsome, and pecked each other, Parted without the least regret, Except that they had ever met, MORAL. Misses! the tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate THE DOG AND THE WATER-LILY. NO FABLE. THE noon was shady, and soft airs Swept Ouse's silent tide, When 'scaped from literary cares, I wandered on his side. My spaniel, prettiest of his race, And high in pedigree, (Two nymphs* adorned with every grace That spaniel found for me) Now wantoned lost in flags and reeds, Now starting into sight Pursued the swallow o'er the meads With scarce a slower flight. *Sir Robert Gunning's daughters. It was the time when Ouse displayed His lilies newly blown; Their beauties I intent surveyed, And one I wished my own. With cane extended far I sought To steer it close to land; But still the prize, though nearly caught, Escaped my eager hand. Beau marked my unsuccessful pains With fixt considerate face, And puzzling set his puppy brains To comprehend the case. But with a chirrup clear and strong, I thence withdrew, and followed long |