But soft no more of this wild stuff! Once for a frolick is enough;
So help us Rhyme, at future need, As we in soberer style proceed.
All subjects of nice disquisition, Admit two modes of definition : For every thing two sides has got,- What is it?-and what is it not?
Both methods, for exactness sake, We with our Bramble mean to take: And by your leave, will first discuss It's negative good parts,-as thus. -
A Bramble will not, like a Rose,
To prick your fingers, tempt your nose, Whene'er it wounds, the fault's your own,Let that, and that lets you, alone.
You shut your Myrtles for a time up; Your Jasmine wants a wall to clime up; But Bramble, in its humbler station, Nor weather heeds, nor situation; - No season is too wet, or dry for't,
No ditch too low, no hedge too high for't.
Some praise, and that with reason too, The Honey-suckle's scent and hue; But sudden storms, or sure, decay, Sweep, with it's bloom, it's charms away : The sturdy Bramble's coarser flower
Maintains it's post, come blast, come shower; And when time crops it, time subdues
Spite of your skill, and care and cost,
Your nobler shrubs are often lost;
But Brambles, where they once get footing, From age to age continue shooting; Ask no attention, nor forecasting; Not ever-green; but ever-lasting.
Some shrubs intestine hatred cherish, And plac'd too near each other, perish; Bramble indulges no such whim; All neighbours are alike to him; No stump so scrubby, but he'll grace it ; No crab so sour but he'll embrace it.
Such, and so various negative merits, The Bramble from it's birth inherits:
Take we its positive virtues next! For so at first we split our text.
The more Resentment tugs and kicks, The closer still the Bramble sticks;
Yet gently handled, quits its hold; Like heroes of true British mould: Nothing so touchy, when they're teased,— No touchiness so soon appeased.
Full in your view, and next your hand, The Bramble's homely berries stand: Eat as you list,-none calls you glutton; Forbear,-it matters not a button. And is not, pray, this very quality The essence of true Hospitality? When frank simplicity and sense Make no parade, take no offence; Such as it is, set forth their best, And let the welcome-add the rest.
The Bramble's shoot, though Fortune lay Point-blank obstructions in it's way,
For no obstructions will give out ; Climbs up, creeps under, winds about;
Like valour, that can suffer, die,
Do any thing, but yield, or fly. While Brambles hints like these can start, Am I to blame to take their part?
No, let who will affect to scorn 'em, My Muse shall glory to adorn 'em ; For as Rhyme did, in my Preamble, So Reason now cries, Bravo! Bramble !'
A Dissenting Minister, whose Sermons to young women, should be marked in the Index Expurgatorius of Morality. He published a volume of Poems, in 1786.
HAIL! Courtesy, thou gracious power, Of Heaven-born Chastity the child; Remote from all that's rude and sour, Akin to all that's soft and mild ! Earth-bred Politeness is thy feeble ape; Without thy soul she only wears the shape.
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