A last year's bird, who ne'er had tried By his good will would keep us single My dear Dick Red cap, what say you? Dick heard, and tweedling, ogling, bridling, Of an immediate conjugation. All paired, and each pair built a nest. But though the birds were thus in haste, The leaves came on not quite so fast, And Destiny, that sometimes bears An aspect stern on man's affairs, Not altogether smiled on theirs. The wind, of late breathed gently forth, Now shifted east, and east by north; Bare trees and shrubs but ill, you know, Could shelter them from rain or snow: Stepping into their nests, they paddled, Themselves were chilled, their eggs were addled; Soon every father bird and mother Grew quarrelsome, and pecked each other, Parted without the least regret, Except that they had ever met, And learned in future to be wiser Than to neglect a good adviser. (Two nymphs1 adorned with ever" grace Now wantoned lost in flags and reeds, Pursued the swallow o'er the meads It was the time when Ouse displayed With cane extended far I sought Beau marked my unsuccessful pains But with a cherup clear and strong, I thence withdrew, and followed long My ramble ended, I returned; The floating wreath again discerned, I saw him with that lily cropped My quick approach, and soon he dropped Charmed with the sight, The world, I cried, My dog shall mortify the pride But chief myself I will enjoin, To show a love as prompt as thine TO THE IMMORTAL MEMORY OF THE HALIBUT, 1 Sir Robert Gunning's daughters. Lost in the immensity of ocean's waste? That rocked the deep, thy cradle, thou wast safe- Attached to the firm leaf of some salt weed, -Wherever thou hast fed, thou little thoughtst, Peace, therefore, and good health, and much good fish, To him who sent thee!-and success, as oft As it descends into the billowy gulf, To the same drag that caught thee!-Fare thee well! Thy lot thy brethren of the slimy fin Would envy, could they know that thou wast doomed To feed a bard, and to be praised in verse. GRATITUDE. ADDRESSED TO LADY HESKETH 1786. THIS cap, that so stately appears, The ribbon with which it is tied. These carpets, so soft to the foot, O spare them, ye knights of the boot, This table and mirror within, Secure from collision and dust, This moveable structure of shelves, This china, that decks the alcove, All these are not half that I owe To One, from our earliest youth Benignity, friendship, and truth; Thus compassed about with the goods I indulge my poetical moods In many such fancies as these ; The poets will swear that I dream, When I sing of the splendour of mine. LINES, COMPOSED FOR A MEMORIAL OF ASHLEY COWPER, ESQ., IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS DEATH, BY HIS NEPHEW WILLIAM OF WESTON. June 1788. FAREWELL! endued with all that could engage In life's last stage, (O blessings rarely found!) Through every period of this changeful state Unchanged thyself-wise, good, affectionate ! Marble may flatter, and lest this should seem O'ercharged with praises on so dear a theme, Although thy worth be more than half supprest, Love shall be satisfied, and veil the rest. SONG ON PEACE. WRITTEN IN THE SUMMER OF 1783, AT THE REQUEST OF LADY AUSTEN, WHO GAVE THE SENTIMENT. AIR-"My fond shepherds of late," &c. No longer I follow a sound; No longer a dream I pursue; I have sought thee in splendour and dress, A humble ambition and hope The voice of true wisdom inspires; Peace may be the lot of the mind SONG. ALSO WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF LADY AUSTEN. AIR-" The Lass of Pattie's Mill." WHEN all within is peace, How nature seems to smile ; Delights that never cease, And soothe the silent hours. It is content of heart Gives nature power to please; |