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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