Their fcaly armours tyrian hue,
Thro' richest purple to the view,
Betray'd a golden gleam.

The haplefs nymph with wonder faw
A whisker firft, and then a paw;
With many an ardent wish,

She stretch'd in vain to reach the prize;
What female heart can gold defpife ?-
What Cat's averfe to fish?

Prefumptuous maid! with looks intent,
Again she stretch'd-again fhe bent,
Nor knew the gulf between :
Malignant fate fat by and smil'd,
The flipp'ry verge her feet beguil'd-
She tumbl❜d headlong in.

Eight times emerging from the flood,
She mew'd to ev'ry wat❜ry god,

Some speedy aid to fend;

No dolphin came-no nereid ftirr'd ;
Nor cruel Tom nor Sufan heard.-
A fav'rite has no friend.

From hence, ye beauties undeceiv'd,
Know, one falfe ftep is ne'er retriev'd,
And be with caution bold;

Not all that tempts your wandring eyes And heedlefs hearts, is lawful prize; Nor all that glitters gold.

HAPPINESS.

FROM JANE SHORE.

To be good, is to be happy.-Angels

Are happier than men, because they are better.
Guilt is the fource of forrow; 'tis the fiend-
Th' avenging fiend, that follows us behind
With whips and ftings: the bleft know none of this,
But reft in everlafting peace of mind,

And find the height of all their heav'n is goodness

A FRAGMENT.

WHEN recent in the womb I lay,
'Ere yet my life began ;

Thy care preferv'd the fleeping clay,
And form'd it into man.

Oh! may this frame that rifing grew

Beneath thy plaftic hands,

Be ftudious ever to pursue

Whate'er thy will commands.

The foul that moves this earthly load,

Thy femblance let it bear;

Nor lofe the traces of the God

Who ftamp'd his image there.

NI S.