Of grove, of lawn, of mead survey, Whose turf, whose shade, whose flowers among His silver-winding way: Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shade! Ah, fields belov'd in vain! Where once my careless childhood stray'd, A stranger yet to pain! I feel the gales that from ye blow A momentary bliss bestow, As waving fresh their gladsome wing To breathe a second spring. Say, Father Thames, for thou hast seen Disporting on thy margent green, The paths of pleasure trace, 5 ΙΟ 15 20 Yet see, how all around 'em wait 55 And black Misfortune's baleful train! Ah, shew them where in ambush stand, Or pining Love shall waste their youth, 65 That mocks the tear it forc'd to flow; And keen Remorse with blood defil'd, Lo! in the vale of years beneath A grisly troop are seen, The painful family of Death, More hideous than their queen: 80 ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE CAT This racks the joints, this fires the veins, 11 85 Yet, ah! why should they know their fate, 95 Her coat, that with the tortoise vies, She saw; and purr'd applause. Still had she gaz'd; but 'midst the tide The Genii of the stream: Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue Thro' richest purple to the view The hapless Nymph with wonder saw: With many an ardent wish, She stretch'd in vain to reach the prize. What Cat's averse to fish? Presumptuous maid! with looks intent Nor knew the gulf between. She tumbled headlong in. Eight times emerging from the flood, Some speedy aid to send. No Dolphin came, no Nereid stirr'd: A fav'rite has no friend! From hence, ye beauties, undeceiv'd, Know, one false step is ne'er retriev'd, ΙΟ 15 20 25 30 35 |