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TRANSLATIONS.

FROM THE LATIN OF VINCENT BOURNE.

THE GLOW-WORM.

1.

BENEATH the hedge, or near the stream,

A worm is known to stray;

That shows by night a lucid beam,
Which disappears by day.

II.

Disputes have been, and still prevail,
From whence his rays proceed;
Some give that honour to his tail,

And others to his head.

III.

But this is sure-the hand of might,
That kindles up the skies,
Gives him a modicum of light
Proportioned to his size.

IV.

Perhaps indulgent nature meant

By such a lamp bestowed,

To bid the traveller, as he went,

Be careful where he trod :'

V.

Nor crush a worm, whose useful light Might serve, however small,

To shew a stumbling stone by night, And save him from a fall.

VI.

Whate'er she meant, this truth divine Is legible and plain,

'Tis power almighty bids him shine, Nor bids him shine in vain.

VII.

Ye proud and wealthy, let this theme
Teach humbler thoughts to you,
Since such a reptile has its gem,
And boasts its splendour too.

THE JACKDAW.

I.

There is a bird who by his coat,
And by the hoarseness of his note,

Might be supposed a crow;

A great frequenter of the church,
Where bishop-like he finds a perch,
And dormitory too.

II.

Above the steeple shines a plate,
That turns and turns, to indicate

From what point blows the weather,
Look up your brains begin to swim,
'Tis in the clouds-that pleases him,
He chooses it the rather.

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Fond of the speculative height,
Thither he wings his airy flight,
And thence securely sees
The bustle and the raree show,
That occupy mankind below,
Secure and at his ease.

IV.

You think, no doubt, he sits and muses
On future broken bones and bruises,
If he should chance to fall.

No; not a single thought like that
Employs his philosophic pate,
Or troubles it at all.

V.

He sees that this great roundabout
The world, with all its motley rout,
Church, army, physic, law,

Its customs, and its businesses,
Is no concern at all of his,

And says what says he?-Caw.

VI.

Thrice happy bird! I too have seen Much of the vanities of men ;

And, sick of having seen 'em, Would cheerfully these limbs resign For such a pair of wings as thine, And such a head between 'em.

THE CRICKET.

I.

LITTLE inmate, full of mirth,
Chirping on my kitchen hearth,
Wheresoe'er be thine abode,
Always harbinger of good,
Pay me for thy warm retreat
With a song more soft and sweet;
In return thou shalt receive

Such a strain as I can give.

II.

Thus thy praise shall be exprest,
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.

III.

Though in voice and shape they be
Formed as if akin to thee,
Thou surpassest, happier far,
Happiest grasshoppers that are;
Theirs is but a summer's song,
Thine endures the winter long,
Unimpaired, and shrill, and clear,
Melody throughout the year.

IV.

Neither night, nor dawn of day,

Puts a period to the play:

Sing then-and extend thy span

Far beyond the date of man.

Wretched man, whose years are spent

In repining discontent,

Lives not, aged though he be,

Half a span, compared with thee.

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