ON THE NIGHTINGALE'S DEPARTURE. Charlotte Smith. SWEET poet of the woods-a long adieu ! And still protect the song she loves so well. With cautious step the love-lorn youth shall glide` Through the lone brake that shades thy mossy nest; And shepherd girls from eyes profane shall hide AN INVITATION TO THE FEATHERED RACE. Graves. AGAIN the balmy Zephyr blows, Ye gentler warblers! higher fly, Here freely hop from spray to spray, Amidst this cool translucent rill, Here bathe your plumes, here drink your fill, No school-boy rude, to mischief prone, E'er shews his ruddy face, Or twangs his bow or hurls a stone Hither the vocal thrush repairs, The goldfinch dreads no slimy snares, Sad Philomel! ah, quit thy haunt And round my friendly grotto chant Let not the harmless redbreast fear, And seek a sure asylum here With one that loves his home. My trees for you, ye artless tribe, Shall store of fruit preserve; Oh, let me thus your friendship bribe! Come, feed without reserve. For you these cherries I protect, To you these plums belong: Sweet is the fruit that you have peck'd, But sweeter far your song. Let then this league betwixt us made Our mutual interests guard, Mine be the gift of fruit and shade; THE SWALLOW. Hurdis. THE chimney-haunting Swallow, too, my eye THE BIRD CAUGHT AT SEA. Hill. PRETTY little feather'd fellow, Why so far from home dost rove? What misfortune brought thee hither, From the green, embowering grove Let thy throbbing heart be still, Here secure from danger rest thee; No one here shall use thee ill, Here no cruel boy molest thee. Barley-corns and crumbs of bread, Crystal water, too, shall cheer thee; On soft sails recline thy head, Sleep, and fear no danger near thee. So when kindly winds shall speed us To the land we wish to see, Then, sweet captive, thou shalt leave us, Then amidst the groves be free. |