ON THE APPROACH OF MAY. THE virgin, when soften'd by May, And poplars embrace with their boughs; From the west as it wantonly blows, That border the vernal alcove, Bend downward to kiss the soft tide: For May is the mother of love. May tinges the butterfly's wing, The goddess will visit you soon, Would Damon have Phillis prove kind, ON THE LATE ABSENCE OF MAY. 1771. THE rooks in the neighbouring grove For shelter cry No daisies on carpets of green, O'er Nature's cold bosom are spread; December, perhaps, has purloin'd Shall always have May in my breast. FABLES. THE ANT AND CATERPILLAR. As an Ant, of his talents superiorly vain, I pay my respects with a hearty good will.' With a look of contempt and impertinent pride, Begone, you vile reptile (his Antship replied); Go-go and lament your contemptible state, But first-look at me-see my limbs how complete; I guide all my motions with freedom and ease, Run backward and forward, and turn when I please : Of nature (grown weary), you shocking essay! Ere long the proud Ant, as repassing the road (Fatigued from the harvest, and tugging his load), The beau on a violet bank he beheld, Whose vesture, in glory, a monarch's excell'd; His plumage expanded-'twas rare to behold The Ant quite amazed at a figure so gay, Bow'd low with respect and was trudging away: Stop, friend (says the Butterfly)—don't be surprised, I once was the reptile you spurn'd and despised; But now I can mount, in the sunbeams I play, While you must, for ever, drudge on in your way.' MORAL. A wretch, though to-day he's o'erloaded with [morrow. sorrow, May soar above those that oppress'd him-to THE ROSE AND BUTTERFLY. bride : AT day's early dawn a gay Butterfly spied Their faith was soon plighted; as lovers will do, I The Rose thus reproach'd him-'Already so cold! [told! How feign'd, O you false one! the passion you 'Tis an age since you left me:' she meant a few hours; [flowers: But such we'll suppose the fond language of 'I saw when you gave the base violet a kiss: How-how could you stoop to a meanness like this? [spise, Shall a low little wretch, whom we Roses deFind favour, O love! in my Butterfly's eyes? On a tulip quite tawdry I saw your fond rape, Nor yet could the pitiful primrose escape : Dull daffodils too were with ardour address'd, And poppies ill scented you kindly caress'd.' The coxcomb was piqued, and replied with a [my dear; sneer, That you're first to complain, I commend you, But know, from your conduct my maxims I drew, And if I'm inconstant, I copy from you. I saw the boy Zephyrus rifle your charms, I saw how you simper'd and smiled in his arms; The honey-bee kiss'd you, you cannot disown, You favour'd besides—O dishonour!—a drone; Yet worse-'tis a crime that you must not deny, Your sweets were made common, false Rose! to a fly.' MORAL. This law, long ago, did Love's Providence make, That every Coquette should be cursed with a Rake. |