Which she might hang about our throttles,
Like labels upon physic-bottles;

And where all men might read — but stay
As dialectic sages say,

The argument most apt and ample
For common use is the example.

For instance, then, if Nature's care
Had not portray'd, in lines so fair,
The inward soul of Lucy L-nd-n,
This is the label she'd have pinn'd on.

LABEL FIRST.

Within this form there lies enshrin'd
The purest, brightest gem of mind.
Though Feeling's hand may sometimes throw
Upon its charms the shade of woe,
The lustre of the gem, when veil'd,

Shall be but mellow'd, not conceal'd.

Now, sirs, imagine, if you're able,

That Nature wrote a second label,
They're her own words at least suppose so
And boldly pin it on Pomposo.

LABEL SECOND.

When I compos'd the fustian brain
Of this redoubted Captain Vain,
I had at hand but few ingredients,
And so was forc'd to use expedients.
I put therein some small discerning,
A grain of sense, a grain of learning;
And when I saw the void behind,

I fill'd it up with-froth and wind!

*

TO JULIA.

ON HER BIRTHDAY.

WHEN Time was entwining the garland of years, Which to crown my beloved was given,

Though some of the leaves might be sullied with tears,

Yet the flow'rs were all gather'd in heaven.

And long may this garland be sweet to the eye,
May its verdure for ever be new;

Young Love shall enrich it with many a sigh,

And Sympathy nurse it with dew.

A REFLECTION AT SEA.

SEE how, beneath the moonbeam's smile,
Yon little billow heaves its breast,

And foams and sparkles for awhile, —
Then murmuring subsides to rest.

Thus man, the sport of bliss and care,
Rises on time's eventful sea;

And, having swell'd a moment there,

Thus melts into eternity!

CLORIS AND FANNY.

CLORIS! if I were Persia's king,
I'd make my graceful queen of thee;
While FANNY, wild and artless thing,
Should but thy humble handmaid be.

There is but one objection in it -
That, verily, I'm much afraid

I should, in some unlucky minute,

Forsake the mistress for the maid.