III. THE CRICKET. TRANSLATION OF THE ABOVE. LITTLE inmate, full of mirth, 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 Thou surpassest, happier far, Neither night, nor dawn of day, Puts a period to thy play: Sing then-and extend thy spán Far beyond the date of man. Wretched man, whose years are spent In repining discontent, Lives not, aged though he be, Half a span, compar'd with thee. SIMILE AGIT IN SIMILE. BY VINCENT BOURNE. CRISTATUS, pictisque ad Thaida Psittacus alis, Psittace mi pulcher pulchelle, hera dicit alumno; Nunc tremulum illudet fratrem, qui suspicit, & Pol! Carnalis, quisquis te docet, inquit, homo est; Argutæ nunc stridet anûs argutulus instar; Respicit, et nebulo es, quisquis es, inquit anus. Quando fuit melior tyro, meliorve magistra! Quando duo ingeniis tam coiêre pares! Ardua discenti nulla est, res nulla docenti Ardua; cum doceat fæmina, discat avis. IV. THE PARROT. TRANSLATION OF THE FOREGOING. In painted plumes superbly dress'd, A native of the gorgeous east, By many a billow toss'd; Poll gains at length the British shore, Belinda's maids are soon preferr'd, As Poll can master it; But 'tis her own important charge, And make him quite a wit. Sweet Poll! his doating mistress cries, Sweet Poll! the mimic bird replies, And calls aloud for sack. She next instructs him in the kiss; 'Tis now a little one, like Miss; And now a hearty smack. At first he aims at what he hears; And, listening close with both his ears, Just catches at the sound: But soon articulates aloud, Much to the amusement of the crowd, And stuns the neighbours round. A querulous old woman's voice His humorous talent next employs, He scolds and gives the lie. |