VERSES SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER SELKIRK, DURING HIS SOLITARY ABODE IN THE ISLAND OF JUAN FERNANDEZ. I AM monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute, I am lord of the fowl and the brute. O Solitude! where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? I am out of Humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone, Never hear the sweet music of speech,- Society, Friendship, and Love, Divinely bestowed upon man, How soon would I taste you again! In the ways of religion and truth; Religion! what treasure untold Resides in that heavenly word! More precious than silver and gold, But the sound of the church-going bell These valleys and rocks never heard, Ye Winds that have made me your sport, Of a land I shall visit no more. My friends, do they now and then send Oh! tell me I yet have a friend, Though a friend I am never to see. How fleet is a glance of the Mind! And the swift-winged arrows of Light; In a moment I seem to be there; But alas! Recollection at hand Soon hurries me back to despair. But the sea-fowl is gone to her nest, And I to my cabin repair. And reconciles man to his lot. THE LILY AND THE ROSE. THE nymph must lose her female friend, But where will fierce contention end, NECESSARY TO THE HAPPINESS OF THE MARRIED STATE. THE lady thus addressed her spouse— 5 Are such an antiquated scene, And shall expect him at the door 'You are so deaf,' the lady cried, (And raised her voice and frowned beside) 'You are so sadly deaf, my dear, What shall I do to make you hear?' 'Dismiss poor Harry!' he replies; 'Some people are more nice than wise; For one slight trespass all this stir? What if he did ride whip and spur, 'Twas but a mile; your favourite horse Will never look one hair the worse.' 'Well, I protest 'tis past all bearing!' 'Child! I am rather hard of hearing.' Yes, truly-one must scream and bawl: I tell you, you can't hear at all!' Then, with a voice exceeding low, 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Then farewell all that must create The comfort of the wedded state; 45 And tumult, and intestine war. The Love that cheers life's latest stage, 50 Proof against sickness and old age, But angry, coarse, and harsh expression BOADICEA. AN ODE. WHEN the British warrior queen, Sage beneath the spreading oak 'Princess! if our aged eyes Weep upon thy matchless wrongs, 'Tis because resentment ties All the terrors of our tongues. |