Her confcious tail her joy declar'd; The fair round face, the fnowy beard, The velvet of her paws, Her coat, that with the tortoife vies, Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes, She faw; and purr'd applause. Still had fhe gaz'd; but 'midft the tide Two angel forms were feen to glide, The Genii of the ftream: Their fcaly armour's Tyrian hue Thro' richest purple to the view Betray'd a golden gleam, The The hapless Nymph with wonder faw: A whisker first and then a claw, With many an ardent wish, She stretch'd in vain to reach the prize. What female heart can gold despise? What Cat's averse to fish? Prefumptuous Maid! with looks intent Again she stretch'd, again she bent, Nor knew the gulf between. (Malignant Fate fat by, and smil'd} The flipp'ry verge her feet beguil'd, She tumbled headlong in. Eight times emerging from the flood She mew'd to ev'ry wat'ry God, Some speedy aid to fend. No Dolphin came, no Nereid ftirr'd; Nor cruel Tom, nor Sufan heard, A Fav'rite has no friend! From hence, ye Beauties, undeceiv'd, Know, one false step is ne'er retriev'd, And be with caution bold. Not all, that tempts your wand'ring eyes And heedlefs hearts, is lawful prize; Not all, that glifters, gold. O DE |