The Plume and Poet both we know 53 ON THE DEATH OF MRS (AFTERWARDS LADY) THROCKMORTON'S BULLFINCH. 1 YE Nymphs! if e'er your eyes were red Her favourite, even in his cage, 2 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 3 The honours of his ebon poll Were brighter than the sleekest mole; With which Aurora decks the skies, 4 Above, below, in all the house, No cat had leave to dwell; 5 Well latticed-but the grate, alas! But smooth with wands from Ouse's side, 6 Night veil'd the pole: all seem'd secure : A beast forth sallied on the scout, 7 He, entering at the study door, Conjectured, sniffing round and round, 8 Just then, by adverse fate impress'd, A rat fast clinging to the cage, 9 For, aided both by ear and scent, Right to his mark the monster wentAh, Muse! forbear to speak Minute the horrors that ensued; His teeth were strong, the cage was wood- 10 O had he made that too his prey; Might have repaid him well, I wot, 11 Maria weeps-the Muses mourn— The tree-enchanter Orpheus fell; THE ROSE. 1 THE rose had been wash'd, just wash'd in a shower, Which Mary to Anna convey'd, The plentiful moisture encumber'd the flower, 2 The cup was all fill'd, and the leaves were all wet, And it seem'd, to a fanciful view, To weep for the buds it had left, with regret, 3 I hastily seized it, unfit as it was For a nosegay, so dripping and drown'd, 4 And such, I exclaim'd, is the pitiless part Regardless of wringing and breaking a heart 5 This elegant rose, had I shaken it less, Might have bloom'd with its owner awhile; And the tear, that is wiped with a little address, May be follow'd perhaps by a smile. ODE TO APOLLO. ON AN INKGLASS ALMOST DRIED IN THE SUN. 1 PATRON of all those luckless brains, 2 Ah why, since oceans, rivers, streams, 3 Why, stooping from the noon of day, Apollo, hast thou stolen away 4 Upborne into the viewless air, It floats a vapour now, Impell'd through regions dense and rare, By all the winds that blow. 5 Ordain'd perhaps, ere summer flies, To form an Iris in the skies, 6 Illustrious drop! and happy then 7 Phœbus, if such be thy design, Give wit, that what is left may shine THE POET'S NEW YEAR'S GIFT. TO MRS (AFTERWARDS LADY) THROCKMORTON. 1 MARIA! I have every good For thee wish'd many a time, 2 To wish thee fairer is no need, More prudent, or more sprightly, |