X. Thus sang the sweet sequestered bird, Soft as the passing wind, And I recorded what I heard, A lesson for mankind. A FABLE. A RAVEN, while with glossy breast But suddenly a wind as high, As ever swept a winter sky, Shook the young leaves about her ears, And all her fears were hushed together: And now, quoth poor unthinking Ralph, 'Tis over, and the brood is safe; (For ravens, though as birds of omen They teach both conjurers and old women To tell us what is to befall, Can't prophesy themselves at all.) The morning came when neighbour Hodge, A gift to his expecting fair, Climbed like a squirrel to his dray, MORAL. 'Tis Providence alone secures In every change both mine and your's: A COMPARISON. THE lapse of time and rivers is the same, And a wide ocean swallows both at last. A difference strikes at length the musing heart; ANOTHER. ADDRESED TO A YOUNG LADY. SWEET stream, that winds thro' yonder glade, Apt emblem of a virtuous maid Silent and chaste she steals along, Far from the world's gay busy throng; With gentle yet prevailing force, Intent upon her destined course; Graceful and useful all she does, Blessing and blest where'er she goes, And heaven reflected in her face. d. THE POET'S NEW-YEAR'S GIFT. TO MRS. (NOW LADY) THROCKMORTON. MARIA! I have every good For thee wished many a time, To wish thee fairer is no need, More prudent, or more sprightly, In wedded love already blest, To thy whole heart's desire? None here is happy but in part: Full bliss is bliss divine; There dwells some wish in every heart, And doubtless one in thine. 2 That wish, on some fair future day, ODE TO APOLLO. ON AN INK-CLASS ALMOST DRIED IN THE SUN. PATRON of all those luckless brains, That to the wrong side leaning Ah why, since oceans, rivers, streams, Pay tribute to thy glorious beams, Why, stooping from the noon of day, Too covetous of drink, Apollo, hast thou stolen away A poet's drop of ink ? Upborne into the viewless air, It floats a vapour now, Impelled through regions dense and rare,- |