PAIRING TIME ANTICIPATED. A FABLE. I SHALL not ask Jean Jaques Rousseau*, If birds confabulate or no; Tis clear, that they were always able To hold discourse, at least in fable; And e'en the child who knows no better, A story of a cock and bull, Must have a most uncommon skull. It chanc'd then on a winter's day, But warm, and bright, and calm as May, To forestal sweet St. Valentine, grove, * 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? And with much twitter and much chatter, At length a Bulfinch, who could boast My friends! be cautious how ye treat I fear we shall have winter yet. A Finch, whose tongue knew no control, A last year's bird, who ne'er had tried By his good will would keep us single Till yonder Heav'n and Earth shall mingle, Or (which is likelier to befall) Till death exterminate us all. I marry without more ado, My dear Dick Redcap, what say you? } 298 PAIRING TIME ANTICIPated. Dick heard, and tweedling, ogling, bridling, Turning short round, strutting and sideling, Attested, glad, his approbation Of an immediate conjugation. All pair'd, and each pair built a nest. But though the birds were thus in haste, Stepping into their nests, they paddled, Grew quarrelsome, and peck'd each other, Except that they had ever met, MORAL. Misses! the tale that I relate This lesson seems to carry Choose not alone a proper mate, THE DOG AND THE WATER-LILY. NO FABLE. THE noon was shady, and soft airs Swept Ouse's silent tide, When, 'scap'd from literary cares, I wander'd on his side. My spaniel, prettiest of his race, And high in pedigree, (Two nymphs* adorn'd with ev'ry grace *Sir Robert Gunning's daughters. Now wanton'd lost in flags and reeds, Pursued the swallow o'er the meads It was the time when Ouse display'd Their beauties I intent survey'd, And one I wish'd my own. With cane extended far I sought To steer it close to land; But still the prize, though nearly caught, Escap'd my eager hand. Beau mark'd my unsuccessful pains With fix'd consid❜rate face, And puzzling set his puppy brains To comprehend the case. But with a cherup clear and strong, I thence withdrew, and follow'd long The windings of the stream. |