ΤΟ

A YOUNG FRIEND,

ON

His arriving at Cambridge wet, when no Rain had fallen there.

[MAY 1793.]

IF Gideon's fleece, which drench'd with dew he

found,

While moisture none refresh'd the herbs around,
Might fitly represent the Church, endow'd

With heav'nly gifts, to Heathens not allow'd;
In pledge, perhaps, of favours from on high,
Thy locks were wet when others' locks were dry.
Heav'n grant us half the omen-may we see
Not drought on others, but much dew on thee!

X

A TALE.

[JUNE 1793.]

IN Scotland's realm, where trees are few,

Nor even shrubs abound;

But where, however bleak the view,
Some better things are found.

For Husband there and Wife may boast

Their union undefil'd,

And false ones are as rare almost

As hedge-rows in the wild.

In Scotland's realm forlorn and bare

The hist'ry chanc'd of late

This hist'ry of a wedded pair

A chaffinch and his mate.

The spring drew near, each felt a breast

With genial instinct fill'd;

They pair'd, and would have built a nest,

But found not where to build.

The heaths uncover'd and the moors

Except with snow and sleet,

Sea-beaten rocks and naked shores
Could yield them no retreat.

Long time a breeding-place they sought,

Till both grew vex'd and tired;

At length a ship arriving brought
The good so long desired.

A ship?-could such a restless thing
Afford them place of rest?

Or was the merchant charged to bring

The homeless birds a nest?

Hush-silent hearers profit most

This racer of the sea

Prov'd kinder to them than the coast,

It serv'd them with a Tree.

But such a tree! 'twas shaven deal,
The tree they call a Mast,

And had a hollow with a wheel

Through which the tackle pass'd.

Within that cavity aloft

Their roofless home they fix'd,

Form'd with materials neat and soft, Bents, wool, and feathers mixt.

Four iv'ry eggs soon pave its floor,

With russet specks bedight—

The vessel weighs, forsakes the shore,

And lessens to the sight.

No-Soon as from ashore he saw

The winged mansion move,

He flew to reach it, by a law

Of never-failing love.

Then perching at his consort's side, Was briskly born along,

The billows and the blast defied, And cheer'd her with a song.

The seaman with sincere delight His feather'd shipmates eyes,

Scarce less exulting in the sight

Than when he tows a prize,