TO THE REV. MR. NEWTON,

AN INVITATION INTO THE COUNTRY,

I.

THE fwallows in their torpid state

Compose their useless wing,

And bees in hives as idly wait

The call of early fpring.

II.

The keeneft froft that binds the ftream,

The wildeft wind that blows,

Are neither felt nor fear'd by them,

Secure of their repose.

III.

But man, all feeling and awake,

The gloomy scene surveys;

With present ills his heart must ake,

IV.

Old winter, halting o'er the mead,

Bids me and Mary mourn;

But lovely fpring peeps o'er his head,

And whispers your return,

V.

Then April, with her fifter May, Shall chafe him from the bow'rs,

And weave fresh garlands ev'ry day,

To crown the smiling hours,

VI.

And, if a tear, that speaks regret

Of happier times, appear,

A glimpse of joy, that we have met,

Shall shine, and dry the tear,

So like an arrow fwift he flew,

Shot by an archer strong;

So did he fly-which brings me to

The middle of my song.

Away went Gilpin, out of breath,
And fore against his will,

Till at his friend the calender's
His horfe at laft ftood ftill.

The calender, amaz'd to fee

His neighbour in fuch trim,

Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate,

And thus accofted him :

What news? what news? your tidings tell;

Tell me you must and shall—

Say why bare-headed you are come,

Or why you come at all.

Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit,

And lov'd a timely joke;

And thus unto the calender

In merry guise he spoke :

I came because your horfe would come; And, if I well forebode,

My hat and wig will foon be here

They are upon the road.

The calender, right glad to find
His friend in merry pin,

Return'd him not a fingle word,
But to the house went in;

Whence ftrait he came with hat and wig;

A wig that flow'd behind,

A hat not much the worse for wear,

Each comely in its kind.

He held them up, and, in his turn,
Thus fhow'd his ready wit-
My head is twice as big as your's,
They therefore needs must fit.

But let me fcrape the dirt away
That hangs upon your face;
And stop and eat, for well you may
Be in a hungry cafe.

Said John-It is my wedding-day,
And all the world would stare

If wife fhould dine at Edmonton

And I fhould dine at Ware!

So, turning to his horfe, he faid

I am in hafte to dine;

'Twas for your pleasure you came here,

You fhall go back for mine.

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