EPITAPH ON "FOP," A DOG BELONGING TO LADY THROCKMORTON. THOUGH Once a puppy, and though Fop by name, And though no hound, a martyr to the chase. ON RECEIVING HAYLEY'S PICTURE. IN language warm as could be breathed or penned, January, 1793. TO HIS COUSIN, LADY HESKETH. REASONS WHY HE COULD NOT WRITE HER A GOOD LETTER. Feb. 10, 1793. My pens are all split, and my ink-glass is dry; EPITAPH ON MR. CHESTER, OF CHICHELY. TEARS flow, and cease not, where the good man lies, ON A PLANT OF VIRGIN'S BOWER, DESIGNED TO COVER A GARDEN-SEAT. THRIVE, gentle plant! and weave a bower And deck with many a splendid flower Thou camest from Eartham, and wilt shade Some future day the illustrious head Of him who made thee mine. Should Daphne show a jealous frown, Thy cause with zeal we shall defend, For why should not the Virgin's Friend Spring of 1793. TO MY COUSIN, ANNE BODHAM, ON RECEIVING FROM HER A NETWORK PURSE MADE BY HERSELF. My gentle Anne, whom heretofore, Than plaything for a nurse, I danced and fondled on my knee, Gold pays the worth of all things here; May 4, 1793. The best things kept within it. TO A YOUNG FRIEND, ON HIS ARRIVING AT CAMBRIDGE WET WHEN NO RAIN HAD FALLEN THERE. IF Gideon's fleece, which drenched with dew he found, While moisture none refreshed the herbs around, Might fitly represent the Church endowed With heavenly gifts to heathens not allowed; In pledge, perhaps, of favours from on high, Thy locks were wet when others' locks were dry. Heaven grant us half the omen,-may we see Not drought on others, but much dew on thee! May, 1793. INSCRIPTION FOR A HERMITAGE IN THE AUTHOR'S GARDEN. THIS cabin, Mary, in my sight appears, Llay, 1793. Preliminary to-the last retreat. TO MRS. UNWIN. MARY! I want a lyre with other strings, Such aid from Heaven as some have feigned they drew, And undebased by praise of meaner things, That, ere through age or woe I shed my wings, I may record thy worth with honour due, In verse as musical as thou art true, There all thy deeds, my faithful Mary, shine, And, since thou own'st that praise, I spare thee mine. May, 1793. TO JOHN JOHNSON, TING ME WITH AN ANTIQUE BUST OF HOMER. eloved, and as a son, by me! ld this fruit of thy regar form of my old favo Joy too, and grief. Much joy that there should be INSCRIPTION FOR THE SAME BUST. Εἰκόνα τίς ταύτην ; κλυτὸν ἀνέρος οὔνομ ̓ ὄλωλεν. TRANSLATION BY THE AUTHOR. THE Sculptor?-Nameless, though once dear to fame. ON A PORTRAIT OF HIMSELF, (IN A LETTER TO HAYLEY.) ABBOT is painting me so true That (trust me) you would stare, THANKS FOR A PRESENT OF PHEASANTS. IN Copeman's ear this truth let Echo tell,- TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, ESQ. Oh for permission from the skies to share, But I am bankrupt now; and doomed henceforth June 29, 1793. A TALE.* IN Scotland's realm, where trees are few, But where, however bleak the view, For husband there and wife may boast And false ones are as rare almost In Scotland's realm forlorn and bare The spring drew near, each felt a breast With genial instinct filled; They paired, and would have built a nest, The heaths uncovered and the moors Long time a breeding-place they sought, At length a ship arriving brought A ship!—could such a restless thing Afford them place of rest? Or was the merchant charged to bring The homeless birds a nest? Hush!-silent hearers profit most,— This racer of the sea Proved kinder to them than the coast, But such a tree! 'twas shaven deal, Their roofless home they fixed, Form'd with materials neat and soft, Bents, wool, and feathers mixed. Four ivory eggs soon pave its floor, The mother-bird is gone to sea As she had changed her kind; But goes the male? Far wiser he Is doubtless left behind. * This tale is founded on an article of intelligence which the author found in the "Buckinghamshire Herald," for Saturday, June 1, 1793,.in the following words : Glasgow, May 23. "In a block, or pulley, near the head of the mast of a gabbert, now lying at the Broomielaw, there is a chaffinch's nest and four eggs. The nest was built while the vessel lay at Greenock, and was followed hither by both birds. Though the block is occasionally lowered for the inspection of the curious, the birds have not forsaken the nest. The cock, however, visits the nest but seldom : while the hen never leaves it but when she descends to the hull for food." |