The Early Year'S Fast-Flying Vapours Stray...

The early year's fast-flying vapours stray In shadowing trains across the orb of day; And we, poor insects of a few short hours, Deem it a world of gloom. Were it not better hope, a nobler doom, Proud to believe, that with more active powers On rapid many-colour'd wing, We thro' one bright perpetual spring Shall hover round the fruits and flowers, Screen'd by those clouds, and cherish'd by those showers!

1796.

COUNT RUMFORB'S ESSAYS.

These, Virtue, are thy triumphs, that adorn Fitliest our nature, and bespeak us born For loftiest action;--not to gaze and run From clime to clime; or batten in the sun, Dragging a drony flight from flower to flower, Like summer insects in a gaudy hour; Nor yet o'er lovesick tales with fancy range, And cry, ''Tis pitiful,'tis passing strange!' But on life's varied views to look around, And raise expiring sorrow from the ground:-- And he--who thus hath borne his part assign'd In the sad fellowship of human kind, Or for a moment soothed the bitter pain Of a poor brother--has not lived in vain.

1796

EPIGRAMS.

ON A LATE MARRIAGE BETWEEN AN OLD MAID AND A FRENCH PETIT MAîTRE.

Tho' Miss----'s match is a subject of mirth She consider'd the matter full well, And wisely preferr'd leading one ape on earth To perhaps a whole dozen in hell.

1796.

ON AN AMOROUS DOCTOR.

From Rufa's eye sly Cupid shot his dart, And left it sticking in Sangrado's heart. No quiet from that moment has he known, And peaceful sleep has from his eyelids flown; And opium's force, and what is more, alack! His own orations cannot bring it back. In short, unless she pities his afflictions, Despair will make him take his own prescriptions.

1796.