III. The Rose soon reddened into rage, The Lily's height bespoke command, She seemed designed for Flora's hand, V. This civil bickering and debate VI. Yours is, she said, the nobler hue, And yours the statelier mien; And, till a third surpasses you, Let each be deemed a queen. VII, Thus, soothed and reconciled, each seeks The fairest British fair: The seat of empire is her cheeks, They reign united there. THE POPLAR FIELD. THE poplars are felled, farewell to the shade, Twelve years have elapsed, since I last took a view The blackbird has fled to another retreat, Where the hazels afford him a screen from the heat, My fugitive years are all hasting away, With a turf on my breast, and a stone at my head, 'Tis a sight to engage me, if any thing can, *Mr. Cowper afterwards altered this last stanza in the following manner : THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN; SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he Of famous London town. John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, To-morrow is our wedding day, Unto the Bell at Edmonton All in a chaise and pair. The change both my heart and my fancy employs, My sister, and my sister's child, Myself and children three, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride On horseback after we. He soon replied, I do admire And you are she, my dearest dear, I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; We will be furnished with our own, John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; That though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stayed, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk so glad, The stones did rattle underneath As if Cheapside were mad. John Gilpin at his horse's side Seized fast the flowing mane, For saddle-tree scarce reached had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, 'Twas long before the customers When Betty screaming came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!" Good lack! quoth he-yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword When I do exercise, |