10 Where Rhenus strays his vines among, The egg was laid from which he sprung, And though by nature mute, Or only with a whistle blest, Well-taught he all the sounds express'd Of flagelet or flute. The honours of his ebon poll Were brighter than the sleekest mole, His bosom of the hue With which Aurora decks the skies, When piping winds shall soon arise, Above, below, in all the house, Dire foe alike of bird and mouse, No cat had leave to dwell; And Bully's cage supported stood On props of smoothest-shaven wood, Large-built and lattic'd well. Well-lattic'd-but the grate, alas! Not rough with wire of steel or brass, For Bully's plumage sake, But smooth with wands from Ouse's side, With which, when neatly peel'd and dried, The swains their baskets make. Night veil'd the pole: all seem'd secure: A beast forth sallied on the scout, Long-back'd, long-tail'd, with whisker'd snout, And badger-colour'd hide. He, ent'ring at the study-door, It's ample area 'gan explore; And something in the wind Conjectur'd, sniffing round and round; Better than all the books he found, Food chiefly for the mind. 30 40 Just then, by adverse fate impress'd, A dream disturb'd poor Bully's rest; In sleep he seem'd to view A rat fast-clinging to the cage, And, screaming at the sad presage, For, aided both by ear and scent, Right to his mark the monster went- Minute the horrours that ensu'd; His teeth were strong, the cage was wood- O had he made that too his prey; That beak, whence issu'd many a lay Of such mellifluous tone, Might have repaid him well, I wote, For silencing so sweet a throat, Fast stuck within his own. 50 60 THE DOVES. REAS'NING at ev'ry step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, While meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray. One silent eve I wander'd late, The turtle thus address'd her mate, Our mutual bond of faith and truth No time shall disengage, Those blessings of our early youth Shall cheer our latest age: 10 While innocence without disguise, And constancy sincere, Shall fill the circles of those eyes, And mine can read them there; Those ills, that wait on all below, Or gently felt, and only so, As being shar'd with thee. When lightnings flash among the trees, Or kites are hovʼring near, I fear lest thee alone they seize, And know no other fear. "Tis then I feel myself a wife, And press thy wedded side, Resolv'd a union form'd for life Death never shall divide. 20 |