To form an Iris in the skies, Illustrious drop! and happy then Phœbus, if such be thy design, To place it in thy bow, Give wit, that what is left may shine PAIRING TIME ANTICIPATED A FABLE. I SHALL not ask Jean Jacques Rosscan,* If birds confabulate or no ; "Tis clear, that they were always able To hold discourse, at least in fable; And e'en the child, that knows no better A story of a cock and bull, Must have a most uncommon scull. It chanced then on winter's day, But warm, and bright, and calm as May, In many an orchard, copse, and grove, And with much twitter and much chatter, Began to agitate the matter. At length a Bulfinch, who could boast *It was one of the whimsical speculations of this philosopher, that all fables which ascribe reason and speech to animals should be withheld from children, as being only vehicles of deception. But what child was ever deceived by them, or can be against the evidence of his senses? A moment's liberty to speak; My friends! be cautious how ye treat A Finch whose tongue knew no contro! Methinks the gentleman, quoth she, By his good will would keep us single Till death exterminate us all. I'll marry without more ado, My dear Dick Redcap, what say you? Dick heard, and tweedling, ogling, bridling, Turning short round, strutting and sideling, Attested, glad, his approbation Of an immediate conjugation. Their sentiments, so well expressed, Influenced mightily the rest; All paired, and each pair built a nest. But though the birds were thus in haste,› The leaves came not on quite so fast, Themselves were chilled, their eggs were addled ; Grew quarrelsome and pecked each other, Than to neglect a good adviser. MORAL. Misses! the tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry THE DOG AND THE WATERLILY. NO FABLE. THE noon was shady, and soft airs When, 'scaped from literary cares, I wandered on his side. My spaniel, prettiest of his race, (Two nymphs* adorned with every grace Now wantoned, lost in flags and reeds, Pursued the swallows o'er the meads It was the tiine when Ouse displayed With cane extended far I sought * Sir Robert Gunning's daughters. But still the prize, though nearly caught, 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 criext, But chief myself I will enjoin, Awake at duty's call, To show a love as prompt as thine To him who gives me all. THE POET, THE OYSTER, AND SENSITIVE PLANT. AN Oyster cast upon the shore, |