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The Hippopotamus.

118
With crimson foam; and when the banquet's o'er,
They stride away and print their steps with
In flight alone the shepherd puts his trust,
And shudders at the talon in the dust.

gore:

YOUNG.

THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.

MILD is the Behemoth*, tho' large his frame.
Smooth is his temper and represt his flame
While unprovok'd. This native of the flood
Lifts his broad foot, and puts ashore for food;
Earth sinks beneath him as he moves along
To seek the herbs, and mingle with the throng.
The uplands feed him: there the beasts admire
The mighty stranger, and in dread retire;
At length his greatness nearer they survey,
Graze in his shadow, and his eye obey.
The fens and marshes are his cool retreat,
His noontide shelter from the burning heat;
Their sedgy bosoms his wide couch are made,
And groves of willows give him all their shade.

YOUNG.

The scripture name for the Hippopotamus.

The Ship!—The Pheasant.

THE SHIP.

WITH gallant pomp and beauteous pride
The floating pile in harbour rode;
Proud of her freight, the swelling tide
Reluctant left the vessel's side;

And rais'd it as it flow'd.

The waves, with eastern breezes curl'd,
Had silver'd half the liquid plain;
The anchors weigh'd, the sails unfurl'd,
Serenely mov'd the wooden world,
And stretch'd along the main.

THE PHEASANT.

119

SEE! from the brake the whirring pheasant springs,
And mounts exulting on triumphant wings:
Short is his joy! he feels the fiery wound,
Flutters in blood, and panting beats the ground.
Ah! what avail his glossy varying dyes,

His purple crest, and scarlet circled eyes;
The vivid green his shining plumes unfold;
His painted wings, and breast that shines with
gold?

РОРБ.

120 The Linnet.-Fortitude.-A Simile.

THE LINNET.

IMPATIENT of his iron cage,

The linnet spends his little rage,

And 'scapes with shatter'd wings;
But soon with new-fledged pinions soars,
And, hastening to his native bowers,
A joyful welcome sings.

FORTITUDE.

EMPIRE o'er the earth and main
Heav'n that gave can take again;
But a mind that's truly brave

Stands despising

Storms arising,

And can ne'er be made a slave.

DRYDEN.

A SIMILE.

So the pure limpid stream, when foul with stains
Of rushing torrents and descending rains,
Works itself clear, and as it runs refines;
Till by degrees the floating mirror shines,
Reflects each flower that on the border grows,
And a new heay'n in its fair bosom shows.

ADDISON.

The Winter Friend,

121

THE WINTER FRIEND.

WHEN the vocal cuckoo wings

To southern climes his way;
When the swifts in giddy rings
Their vent' rous flight essay;
When the linnet droops forlorn
Upon the naked spray;

Mute the blackbird on the thorn,
And lark that hails the day;

Still the robin whistles clear,
And braves the fading year.

Other flutt'rers come and go,
The frolic train of spring;
Fearful from the drifting snow
They urge their rapid wing.
Other warblers cease their strain
When storms forbid to roam,

But Robin then forsakes the plain,
And gives us songs at home:
Let the fickle sporters flee-
The Winter Friend for me!

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SEE how the golden groves around me smile,
That shun the coast of Britain's stormy isle,
Or, when transplanted and preserv'd with care,
Curse the cold clime, and starve in northern air!
Here kindly warmth their mounting juice ferments
To nobler tastes and more exalted scents:

E'en the rough rocks with tender myrtle bloom,
And trodden weeds send out a rich perfume.
Bear me, some god, to Baia's gentle seats,
Or cover me in Umbria's green retreats;
Where western gales eternally reside,
And all the seasons lavish all their pride:
Blossoms and fruits and flowers together rise,
And the whole year in gay confusion lies.
How has kind heaven adorn'd the happy land,
And scatter'd blessings with a wasteful hand!
But what avail her unexhausted stores,
Her blooming mountains and her sunny shores,
With all the gifts that heav'n and earth impart,
The smiles of nature and the charms of art,

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