III.

e

But this is fure-the hand of might,

That kindles up the skies,

Gives him a modicum of light

Proportion'd to his fize.

IV.

Perhaps indulgent nature meant,
By fuch a lamp bestow'd,

To bid the trav'ler, as he went,

Be careful where he trod:

V.

Nor crush a worm, whose useful light

Might ferve, however fmall,

To fhew a ftumbling stone by night,

And fave him from a fall.

VI.

Whate'er fhe meant, this truth divine

Is legible and plain,

'Tis pow'r almighty bids him shine,

Nor bids him fhine in vain.

VII.

Ye proud and wealthy, let this theme

Teach humbler thoughts to you,

Since fuch a reptile has its gem,
And boasts its fplendour too.

II. THE JACK DAW.

I.

THERE is a bird who, by his coat,
And by the hoarfeness of his note,

Might be fuppos'd 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 fwim, 'Tis in the clouds-that pleases him,

He chooses it the rather.

III.

Fond of the fpeculative height,

Thither he wings his airy flight,

And thence fecurely fees

The bustle and the raree-fhow

That occupy mankind below,

Secure, and at his eafe.

IV.

You think, no doubt, he fits and mufes

On future broken bones and bruises,

If he should chance to fall.

No; not a single thought like that
Employs his philofophic pate,

Or troubles it at all.

V.

He fees, that this great roundabout

The world, with all its motley rout,

Church, army, physic, law,

Its customs, and its bus'neffes,

Is no concern at all of his,

And fays--what says he?-Caw.

VI.

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

And, fick of having feen 'em,
Would cheerfully these limbs refign
For fuch a pair of wings as thine,

And fuch a head between 'em.

III. THE CRICKET.

I.

LITTLE inmate, full of mirth,

Chirping on my kitchen hearth,

Wherefoe'er be thine abode,

Always harbinger of good,

Pay me for thy warm retreat
With a fong more foft and sweet;

In return thou fhalt receive

Such a strain as I can give.

II.

Thus thy praise fhall be expreft,

Inoffenfive, welcome guest !

While the rat is on the scout,

And the mouse with curious fnout,

With what vermin else infeft

Ev'ry dish, and spoil the best;

Frifking thus before the fire,

Thou haft all thine heart's defire.

III.

Though in voice and fhape they be

Form'd as if akin to thee,

Thou furpaffeft, happier far,
Happiest grasshoppers that are;

Their's is but a fummer's fong,
Thine endures the winter long,
Unimpair'd and shrill and clear,
Melody throughout the year.