Puslapio vaizdai
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EDWARD.

For me at home the careful housewives make,
With plums and almonds rich, an ample cake.
Smooth is the top, a plain of shining ice,
The West its sweetness gives, the East its spice:
From soft Ionian isles, well known to fame,
Ulysses' once, the luscious currant came.
The green transparent citron Spain bestows,
And from her golden groves the orange glows.
So vast the heaving mass, it scarce has room
Within the oven's dark capacious womb;
'Twill be consign'd to the next carrier's care,
I cannot yield it all be half thy share.

WILLIAM.

Well does the gift thy liquorish palate suit,
* I know who robb'd the orchard of its fruit.
When all were wrapt in sleep, one early morn,
While yet the dew-drop trembled on the thorn,
I mark'd when o'er the quickset hedge you leapt,
† And, sly, beneath the gooseberry bushes crept;
Then shook the trees, a show'r of apples fell,
And, where the hoard you kept, I know full well;
The mellow gooseberries did themselves produce,
For thro' thy pocket oozed the viscous juice.

EDWARD.

I scorn a tell-tale, or I cou'd declare

How, leave unask'd, you sought the neighbouring fair;
Then home by moon-light spurred your jaded steed,
And scarce returned before the hour of bed.

Think how thy trembling heart had felt affright,
Had not our master supped abroad that night.

* Non ego, te vidi, Damonis-

Tu post carecta latebas.

WILLIAM.

On the smooth, white-washed ceiling near thy bed,
Mixed with thy own, is Anna's cypher read;
From wreaths of dusky smoke the letters flow;
Whose hand the waving candle held, I know.
Fines and jobations shall thy soul appal,
Whene'er our mistress spies the sully'd wall.

EDWARD.

Uncon'd her lesson once, in idle mood,
Trembling before the master, Anna stood;
I marked what prompter near her took his place,
And, whispering, sav'd the virgin from disgrace;
Much is the youth bely'd, and much the maid,
Or more than words the whisper soft convey'd.

WILLIAM.

Think not I blush to own so bright a flame,
Even boys for her assume the lover's name;
* As far as alleys beyond taws we prize,
Or venison pasty ranks above school pies;
As much as peaches beyond apples please,
Or Parmesan excels a Suffolk cheese;

Or P.... donkeys lag behind a steed,
So far do Anna's charms all other charms exceed.

EDWARD.

Tell, if thou canst, where is that creature bred,
Whose wide-stretch'd mouth is larger than its head;
† Guess, and my great Apollo thou shalt be,
And cake and ship shall both remain with thee.

* Lenta salix quantum pallenti cedit olivæ.

• Dic quibus in terris, et eris mihi magnus Apollo.

WILLIAM.

Explain thou first, what portent late was seen,
With strides impetuous, posting o'er the green,
Three heads, like Cerberus, the monster bore,
And one was sidelong fix'd, and two before;
Eight legs, depending from his ample sides,
Each well-built flank unequally divides;
For five on this, on that side three are found,
Four swiftly move, and four not touch the ground.
Long time the moving prodigy I view'd,
By gazing men, and barking dogs pursu'd.

HENRY.

Cease! cease your carols both! for lo the bell
With jarring notes, has rung out Pleasure's knell.
Your startled comrades, e'er the game be done,
Quit their unfinish'd sports, and trembling run.
Haste to your forms before the master call!
With thoughtful step he paces o'er the hall.
Does with stern looks each playful loiterer greet,
Counts with his eye, and marks each vacant seat;
Intense, the buzzing murmur grows around,
Loud, thro' the dome, the usher's strokes resound.
Sneak off, and to your places slily steal,
Before the prowess of his arm you feel.

THE SOCIAL FIRE.

A MATRIMONIAL SONG.

FROM pastoral scenes, and rural love,
The pipe, the reed, the cooing dove,
The sunny hill, the woodbine shade,
The winding brook, and opening glade,
With softer verse my Muse inspire,
To celebrate my Social Fire!

Let Poets feign in hidden grove,
Diana, or the Queen of Love,
With Cupids sporting in the air
Attendant on the royal fair:
A sweeter theme awakes my lyre
To celebrate my Social Fire!

See the dear girl, o'er all the fair
My choice, and my peculiar care;
I bless the day she join'd her hand
With mine in happy Wedlock's band,
And listening to my fond desire,
Vouchsaf'd to deck my Social Fire.

Dear pledge of love, our mutual joy,
See here a little smiling boy;
Sweet tender bud of manly grace,
Soft, yet expressive is that face;
With honest pride my Muse aspire
To celebrate my Social Fire.

Ye lovely nymphs, and gentle swains,
Who grace our Albion's happy plains,
Direct your choice where ye approve,
And dare be honest in your love;
If Truth and Faith your vows inspire,
Ye'll always love your Social Fire.

A. P.

LINES

On occasion of an interrupted Voyage from Ross to Chepstow, September 1796.

BY DR. BEDDOES.

FAREWELL! thou dear to Fancy's eye!
Farewell thy scenes, Arcadian WYE!
Back to the world, with footsteps slow,
From thy sequester'd glades I go!
And turn, by Eve's protracted light,
To catch one last impressive sight,
That faithful Mem'ry firm may hold
Thy blended forms of soft and bold;
And, by thy images possest,
A sense serener soothe my breast.

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