This elegant rose, had I shaken it less, Might have bloom'd with it's owner a while; And the tear, that is wip'd with a little address, May be follow'd perhaps by a smile. THE DOVES. REAS'NING 1. 'NING at ev'ry step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, While meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray. II. One silent eve I wander'd late, The turtle thus address'd her mate, III. Our mutual bond of faith and truth Those blessings of our early youth IV. While innocence without disguise, And constancy sincere, Shall fill the circles of those eyes, And mine can read them there; V. Those ills, that wait on all below, As being shar'd with thee. VI. When lightnings flash among the trees, Or kites are hov'ring near, I fear lest thee alone they seize, And know no other fear. VII. "Tis then I feel myself a wife, VIII. But oh! if, fickle and unchaste, IX. No need of lightnings from on high, Denied th' endearments of thine eye, X. Thus sang the sweet sequester'd bird, Soft as the passing wind, And I recorded what I heard, A lesson for mankind. A FABLE. A RAVEN, while with glossy breast As ever swept a winter sky, Shook the young leaves about her ears, And spread her golden hopes below. |