Quando fuit melior Tyro, meliorve Magistra!
Quando duo ingeniis tam coiere pares!

Ardua discenti nulla est, res nulla docenti
Ardua; cum doceat Fæmina, discat Avis.

IV. THE PARROT.

TRANSLATION OF THE ABOVE.

I.

In painted plumes superbly drest,

A native of the gorgeous east,

By many a billow tost;

Poll gains at length the British shore,

Part of the captain's precious store,

A present to his toast.

II.

Belinda's maids are soon preferred

To teach him now and then a word,

As Poll can master it;

But 'tis her own important charge

To qualify him more at large,

And make him quite a wit.

III.

Sweet Poll! his doating mistress cries,

Sweet Poll! the mimic bird replies,

And calls aloud for sack.

She next instructs him in the kiss; 'Tis now a little one, like Miss;

And now a hearty smack.

IV.

At first he aims at what he hears;

And, listening close with both his ears,

Just catches at the sound;

But soon articulates aloud,

Much to the amusement of the crowd,

And stuns the neighbours round.

V.

A querulous old woman's voice

His humorous talent next employs,

He scolds and gives the lie.

And now he sings, and now is sick,

Here Sally, Susan, come, come quick,

Poor Poll is like to die!

VI.

Belinda and her bird! 'tis rare

To meet with such a well matched pair,

The language and the tone,

Each character in every part

Sustained with so much grace

And both in unison.

VII.

and art,

When children first begin to spell,

And stammer out a syllable,

We think them tedious creatures;

But difficulties soon abate,

When birds are to be taught to prate,

And women are the teachers.

THE

DIVERTING HISTORY

OF

JOHN GILPIN;

SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE

INTENDED, AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN.

JOHN GILPIN was a citizen

Of credit and renown,

A train-band captain eke was he

Of famous London town.

John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,
Though wedded we have been

These twice ten tedious years, yet we

No holiday have seen.

To-morrow is our wedding-day,

And we will then repair

Unto the Bell at Edmonton

All in a chaise and pair.

My sister, and my sister's child,
Myself and children three,

Will fill the chaise; so you must ride
On horseback after we.

He soon replied, I do admire

Of womankind but one,

And you are she, my dearest dear,
Therefore it shall be done.

I am a linen-draper bold,

As all the world doth know,

And my good friend the calender

Will lend his horse to go.