The largest and the longest kind A sort most needed by the blind, The full charg'd leaf, which next ensues, The smaller sort, which matrons use, The third, the fourth, the fifth supply But still with regular decrease O! what a fund of genius, pent How luminous and clear! It leaves no reader at a loss No commentator's tedious gloss, Search Bodley's many thousands o'er! No book is treasured there, Nor yet in Granta's numerous store, That may with this compare. No! -rival none in either host Of this was ever seen, AN ENIGMA. A NEEDLE, small as small can be, Nor is my purchase dear; As Yet though but little use we boast, Nor few artificers it asks, All skilful in their several tasks, One fuses metal o'er the fire, The sheers another plies; Who clips in length the brazen thread A fifth prepares, exact and round, His follower makes it fast: And with his mallet and his file Now, therefore, Edipus! declare Its purpose with so much ado SPARROWS SELF-DOMESTICATED IN TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. NONE ever shared the social feast, Beneath the celebrated dome Where once Sir Isaac had his home, Their nest they weave in hope of crumbs, And oft as with its summons clear The warning bell salutes their ear, Sagacious listeners to the sound, None more attentive to the call. FAMILIARITY DANGEROUS. As in her ancient mistress' lap They gave each other many a tap, But strife ensues. Puss waxes warm, And with protruded claws Ploughs all the length of Lydia's arm, Mere wantonness the cause. At once, resentful of the deed, She shakes her to the ground With many a threat that she shall bleed With still a deeper wound. But, Lydia, bid thy fury rest: For she that will with kittens jest INVITATION TO THE REDBREAST. SWEET bird, whom the winter constrainsAnd seldom another it can— To seek a retreat while he reigns In the well-shelter'd dwellings of man, Who never can seem to intrude, Though in all places equally free, Come, oft as the season is rude, Thou art sure to be welcome to me. At sight of the first feeble ray That pierces the clouds of the east, To inveigle thee every day My windows shall show thee a feast. For, taught by experience, I know, Thee mindful of benefit long; And that, thankful for all I bestow, Thou wilt pay me with many a song. Then, soon as the swell of the buds Bespeaks the renewal of spring, Fly hence, if thou wilt, to the woods, Or where it shall please thee to sing |