"I own (with meekness Pufs replied) "Nor does my breast with envy swell, "Yet I, in what my nature can, "From lurking rats fecures the grain? "From hence, if he rewards bestow, "Since there's enough for you and me?” "Thy words are juft," the farmer cried, And spurn'd the fnarler from his fide. We have now given the best selection we are able of this fpecies of poetry, in order to answer the purpose of practice to the reader in that branch of reading. We recommend the frequent perufal of these fables, if the scholar find himself any ways deficient of that eafy flow of utterance fo effentially neceffary in the perfon who may wish to do them juftice. We do not know any poetical production of the kind that produces more effect on the hearer, if properly read, than the following. We fhall endeavour to give it in the fame manner in which we have heard, with fo much pleafure, the late Mr. Henderfon read it in private. AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF A BLACKBIRD. Supposed to be written by Mr. JAGO. LET your expreffion be smooth, flowing, and harmo INOUS. THE fun had chas'd the winter's fnow, 'Twas then, amid the vernal throng, Make a pause after "then." Whom nature wakes to mirth and love, Paufe after "blackbird." Now change your voice to a tone of affection and tender nefs. "O! faireft of the feather'd train, "For whom I fing, for whom I burn; "Attend with pity to my ftrain, "And grant my love a kind return, «For "For fee the wintry storms are flown, "Let us the vernal paftime fhare. "The raven plumes his jetty wing "But trust me, love, the raven's wing 66 As I, who ftrength with fweetnefs join. "With thee I'll prove the fweets of love, い "I'll lead thee to the clearest rill, "Whose streams among the pebbles ftray; "There will we fit and fip our fill, "Or on the flow'ry margin play. "I'll guide thee to the thickest brake, "Impervious to the fchoolboy's eye; "For thee the cloifter'd neft I'll make, And on thy downy pinions lie. To get thee food, I'll range the fields, "Or love's affiduous care can find. "When, prompted by a mother's care, 66 Or cheer thy labours with a fong. "And when my lovely mate would ftray, "And tend at home our infant charge.". care Your voice now to a lower key, and with lefs tender nefs. He ceas'd his fong. The melting dame, With tender pity, heard his ftrain; She felt, fhe own'd, a mutual flame, He led her to the nuptial bow'r, Next morn he wak'd her with a fong The three next lines with the fame tone as before. "Arife! behold the new-born day! "The 1 "The lark his matin peal has rung; Together thro' the fields they stray'd, Now comes the melancholy fequel of this very interesting little elegy. In keeping up the full meaning of the author, and impreffing the hearer with its proper effect, you ought here to make a confiderable pause, and by your look and manner prepare him for the fad remainder of the poem. Let your voice be low and very pathetic. But oh! my Mufe with pain relates Paufe after "gunner." Alarm'd, the lover cried, "My dear, 66 "Hafte, hafte away; from danger fly! At him the gunner took his aim; H The aim he took was, ah! too true; Never having killed any thing before. G S Divided |