The honours of his ebon poll Were brighter than the sleekest mole, With which Aurora decks the skies, Above, below, in all the house, And Bully's cage supported stood Well-latticed-but the grate, alas! But smooth with wands from Ouse's side, Night veil'd the pole : all seem'd secure : Subsistence to provide, A beast forth sallied on the scout, Long-back'd, long-tail'd, with whisker'd snout, And badger-colour'd hide. He, entering at the study door, And something in the wind. Food chiefly for the mind. LADY THROCKMORTON'S BULfinch. 241 Just then, by adverse fate impress'd, A rat fast clinging to the cage, For, aided both by ear and scent, Minute the horrors that ensued; His teeth were strong, the cage was wood- He left it--but he should have ta'en- Might have repaid him well, I wote, Maria weeps-the Muses mourn— The cruel death he died. THE rose had been wash'd, just wash'd in a shower, Which Mary to Anna convey'd; The plentiful moisture encumber'd the flower, And weigh'd down its beautiful head. The cup was all fill'd, and the leaves were all wet, And it seem'd, to a fanciful view, То weep for the buds it had left with regret, On the flourishing bush where it grew. I hastily seized it, unfit as it was For a nosegay, so dripping and drown'd, And such, I exclaim'd, is the pitiless part This elegant rose, had I shaken it less, Might have bloom'd with its owner awhile; And the tear, that is wiped with a little address, May be follow'd, perhaps, by a smile. THE DOVES. REASONING at every step he treads, While meaner things, whom instinct leads, One silent eve I wander'd late, Our mutual bond of faith and truth While innocence without disguise, Shall fill the circles of those eyes, Those ills, that wait on all below, When lightnings flash among the trees, I fear lest thee alone they seize, "Tis then I feel myself a wife, But oh! if, fickle and unchaste No need of lightnings from on high, This widow'd heart would break. |