Pleas'd ev'n to hear her fex's virtues fhewn, Not like a fire, which, whilft it burns, alarms; If e'er fhe fing, a copious theme must chuse. Written in a FLOWER BOOK of my own Colouring, defigned for Lady PLIMOUTH. 1753-4 "Debitæ nymphis opifex coronæ.” BR RING, Floara, bring thy treasures here, But ah! fince envious winter lours, Diffuse their flowerets, in her way. HOR. Not Not nature can herself prepare A worthy wreath for Lesba's hair, Whofe temper, like her forehead, fmooth, From all the nymphs of plain or grove, ANACREONTIC. 1738. "TWAS in a cool Aonian glade, The wanton Cupid, fpent with toil, And is it thine to fnore profound, But hush from this aufpicious hour, The world, I ween, may reft in peace; And, robb'd of darts, and ftript of power, Thy peevish petulance decrease. Sleep on, poor child! whilft I withdraw, When the Caftalian fount fhe faw, That That magic fount-ill-judging maid! Shall cause you foon to curfe the day You dar'd the fhafts of love invade; And gave his arms redoubled fway. For in a ftream fo wonderous clear, When angry Cupid searches round, Will not the radiant points appear? Will not the furtive spoils be found? Too foon they were; and every dart, Dipt in the Mufe's mystic spring, Acquir'd new force to wound the heart; And taught at once to love and fing. Then farewel, ye Pierian quire; For who will now your altars throng? From love we learn to fwell the lyre; And echo asks no fweeter fong. HOR. "Urit fpes animi credula mutui.” "TWAS not by beauty's aid alone, That love ufurp'd his airy throne, His boafted power display'd: 'Tis kindness that fecures his aim, 'Tis hope that feeds the kindling flame, Which beauty first convey'd. In Clara's eyes, the lightnings view; Have all its fweets combin'd; Yet vain the blush, and faint the fire, Though wit might gild the tempting finare, By envy's felf admir'd; If Lefbia's wit betray'd her scorn, Thus airy Strephon tun'd his lyre- Refolv'd to brave the keenest dart; But ah! how false these maxims prove, Experience hourly shows! Love can imagin'd smiles fupply, In vain we trust the fair-one's eyes; A As partial to their words we prove ; Then took the field—and dy’d. THE DYING K I D. "Optima quæque dies miferis mortalibus ævi "Prima fugit A Tear bedews To think yon playful kid must die ; From crystal spring, and flowery mead, Muft, in his prime of life, recede! Erewhile, in fportive circles round She faw him wheel, and frisk, and bound; And, on the fearful margin, play. Pleas'd on his various freaks to dwell, She tells, with what delight he stood, I 2 VIRG. She |