ΤΟ JOHN JOHNSON, ON His presenting me with an antique bust of Homer [May, 1793.] KINSMAN belov'd and as a son, by me! I loose my precious years now soon to fail, Proves dross, when balanc'd in the Christian scale. Be wiser thou—like our forefather DONNE, Seek heav'nly wealth, and work for God alone. ΤΟ A YOUNG FRIEND, ON His arriving at Cambridge wet, when ne rain had fullen there. [May, 1793.] Ir Gideon's fleece, which drench'd with dew he found, While moisture none refresh'd the herbs around, A TALE. [June, 1793.] IN Scotland's realm where trees are few, But where, however bleak the view, Some better things are found. For husband there and wife may Their union undefil'd. And false ones are as rare almost As hedge-rows in the wild. boast In Scotland's realm, forlorn and bare, This hist'ry of a wedded pair, The spring drew near, each felt a breast With genial instinct fill'd; They pair'd and would have built a nest, But found not where to build. The heath uncover'd, and the moors, Long time a breeding-place they sought, A ship could such a restless thing Or was the merchant charg'd to bring Hush-silent hearers profit most- Prov'd kinder to them than the coast, But such a tree! 'twas shaven deal, And had a hollow with a wheel Through which the tackle pass'd Within that cavity aloft, Their rootless home they fix'd, Form'd with materials neat and soft, Bents, wool, and feathers mix'd. Four iv'ry eggs soon pave its floor; With russet specks bedight----The vessel weighs, forsakes the shore And lessens to the sight. The mother-bird is gone to sea As she had chang'd her kind; But goes the male? Far wiser, he Is doubtless left behind? No-soon as from ashore he saw Then perching at his consort's side, The seaman with sincere delight, Scarce lest exulting in the sight For seamen much believe in signs, Hail honour'd land! a desert where Yet parent of this loving pair Whom nothing could divide. And ye who, rather than resign Your matrimonial plan, Were not afraid to plough the brine For whose lean country much disdam Be it your fortune, year by year, This Tule 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 gabert, new 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 occasional. ly lowered for the inspection of the curious, the binds 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 bull for food. |