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Thy belt of straw and ivy buds,
Thy coral clasps and amber studs,
All these in me no means can move
To come to thee, and be thy love.

But could youth last, and love still breed,
Had joy no date, nor age no need;
Then these delights my mind might move,
To live with thee, and be thy love.

Sir Walter Raleigh.

THE DOG AND THE WATER LILY.

A TRUE TALE.

THE

HE noon was shady, and soft airs
Swept Ouse's silent tide;

When 'scap'd from literary cares,

I wander'd on his side.

My spaniel, prettiest of its race,

And high in pedigree,

(Two nymphs, adorn'd with ev'ry grace,

That spaniel gave to me.)

Now wanton'd, lost in flags and reeds,

Now starting into sight;

Pursu'd the swallows o'er the meads

With scarce a slower flight.

It was the time when Ouse display'd

His lilies newly blown,

Their beauties I intent survey'd,
And one I wish'd my own.

With cane extended, far I sought
To steer it close to land;

But still the prize, tho' nearly caught,
Escap'd my eager hand.

Beau mark'd my unsuccessful pains,
With fix'd considerate face,
And, puzzling, set his puppy brains
To comprehend the case.

But with a chirrup, clear and strong,
Dispersing all his dream,

I thence withdrew, and follow'd long
The winding of the stream.

My ramble ended, I return'd,
Beau, trotting far before,

The floating flow'r again discern'd,
And plunging, left the shore.

I saw him, with that lily cropt,
Impatient swim to meet

My quick approach, and soon he dropt
The treasure at my feet.

Charm'd with the sight, the world, I cried,
Shall hear of this thy deed,
My dog shall mortify the pride
Of man's superior breed.

But chief myself I will enjoin,
Awake at duty's call,

To shew a love as prompt as thine
To Him who gives me all.

Cowper.

VERSES

ENGRAVED UPON A HUNTING HORN.

LEAVE, studious youth, the cloisters grey, Health in the woodlands now abounds, Hear, from this horn, th' inspiring lay, Each vale shall lengthen out the sounds.

And thou, oh Dian! with thy train,
Be present, rouse the lurking prey;
Nor let their coverts these restrain,
Course as the wind the open way.

So thy recesses, unenjoy'd,

No beast goat-footed shall come near; Nor by Acteon thou annoy'd,

When bathing in the fountain clear.

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ON RETIREMENT.

'Tis weak and worldly to conclude
Retirement all a solitude;

The wise and good will always own,
That man is never less alone,
Than when alone; 'tis so with me,
When in my own large company.

Withdrawn and pensive while I move,
Beneath the shade of yonder grove;
Monarchs that triple circles wear,
Feel not the weight of half my care:
In sighs and pray'rs my soul I bend,
But rise to transports in the end.

When from the world retir'd apart,
To dress the temple of my heart;
To make it beautiful and fair,
Fit for the God residing there;
'Tis then, and only then I live,
Enjoying all this globe can give.

Think'st thou to treat almighty pow'r
Is but the bus'ness of an hour?
O who, that gets so dear a guest,
But once enshrin'd within his breast,
Would, for this world's impertinence,
Neglect him there, or drive him thence?

My Eden then be my abode,
And the great visitant, my God!
He only my companion be,
From whom I hope eternity!

They who below their heav'n fore-date,
Ne'er dread th' uplifted hand of fate,
Tasting the glories that shall crown
An endless life when this is done.

Weekly Amusement.

VERSES

Supposed to be written by Alexander Selkirk, during his solitary abode in the Island of Juan Fernandez.

I AM monarch of all I survey,

My right there is none to dispute,
From the centre all round to the sea,
I am lord of the fowl and the brute.

Oh solitude! where are the charms

That sages have seen in thy face?
Better dwell in the midst of alarms,
Than reign in this horrible place.

I am out of humanity's reach,

I must finish my journey alone,
Never hear the sweet music of speech,
I start at the sound of my own.

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