But soon my ear caught the glad news, Which serv'd my weak thought for a guide-That Britannia, renown'd o'er the waves. For the hatred she ever has shown To the black-sceptred rulers of slaves, Resolves to have none of her own. 48 THE NIGHTINGALE AND GLOW-WORM. A NIGHTINGALE, that all day long He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the glow-worm by his spark; 10 And found a supper somewhere else Hence jarring sectaries may learn Their real int'rest to discern; 20 That brother should not war with brother, And worry and devour each other; But sing and shine by sweet consent, Till life's poor transient night is spent, The gifts of nature and of grace. Those Christians best deserve the name, Who studiously make peace their aim; 30 Of him that creeps and him that flies. 38 ON A GOLDFINCH, STARVED TO DEATH IN HIS CAGE. TIME was when I was free as air, My drink the morning dew; I perch'd at will on ev'ry spray, My form genteel, my plumage gay, My strains for ever new. But gaudy plumage, sprightly strain, And of a transient date; For caught, and cag'd, and starv'd to death, In dying sighs my little breath Soon pass'd the wiry grate. Thanks, gentle swain, for all my woes, And thanks for this effectual close And cure of ev'ry ill! More cruelty could none express; Had been your pris'ner still. 11 18 THE PINEAPPLE AND BEE. THE pineapples, in triple row, Perceiv'd the fragrance as he pass'd. And search'd for crannies in the frame, To ev'ry pane his trunk applied; But still in vain, the frame was tight, Thus having wasted half the day, Methinks, I said, in thee I find The sin and madness of mankind. 10 |