Poll gains at length the British shore, Belinda's maids are soon preferred, But 'tis her own important charge, Sweet Poll! his doating mistress cries, Sweet Poll! the mimic bird replies; And calls aloud for sack. She next instructs him in the kiss; 'Tis now a little one, like Miss, And now a hearty smack. At first he aims at what he hears; But soon articulates aloud, A querulous old woman's voice Belinda and her bird! 'tis rare To meet with such a well-matched pair, The language and the tone, 502 TRANSLATION OF CHLOE AND EUPHELIA. Each character in every part, Sustained with so much grace and art, When children first begin to spell, We think them tedious creatures: But difficulties soon abate, When birds are to be taught to prate, And women are the teachers. TRANSLATION OF PRIOR'S CHLOE AND EUPHELIA. MERCATOR, vigiles oculos ut fallere possit, Nomine sub ficto trans mare mittit opes; Lene sonat liquidumque meis Euphelia chordis, Sed solam exoptant te, mea vota, Chloe. Ad speculum ornabat nitidos Euphelia crines, Cum dixit mea lux, Heus, cane, sume lyram. Namque lyram juxta positam cum carmine vidit, *Suave quidem carmen dulcisonamque lyram. Fila lyræ vocemque paro, suspiria surgunt, Subrubet illa pudore, et contrahit altera frontem, Me torquet mea mens conscia, psallo, tremo; Atque Cupidinea dixit Dea cincta corona, Heu! fallendi artem quam didicere parum. THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN; Showing how he went farther than he intended, and came safe home again. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, To-morrow is our wedding day, My sister and my sister's child, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride He soon replied, I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, Therefore it shall be done. I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Will lend his horse to go. Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed To drive up to the door, lest all So three doors off the chaise was stayed, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folks so glad, The stones did rattle underneath, For saddletree scarce reached had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew 'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty screaming came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!" Good lack! quoth he-yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword, When I do exercise. Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul !) Each bottle had a curling ear, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, He manfully did throw. |