1 To the banks, a ruffled tide Verges in fucceffive rings. Tripping thro' the filken grafs, Mark the rofe-complexion'd lass With her well-pois'd milking pail. Linnets, with unnumber'd notes, CUNNINGHAM. A FEMALE CHARACTER. HER kindly melting heart, And all relief that bounty could bestow! Her gentle tears would fall, As fhe the common mother were of all, Nor only good, and kind, But ftrong and elevated was her mind On fortune's fmile, or frown; That could, without regret or pain, : Or Intereft's or Ambition's highest prize; All pleafing fhone, nor ever past The decent bounds, that Wisdom's fober hand, LYTTELTON. LIFE. O WHY do wretched men so much defire And thousand perils which them still await, Toffing themselves like boat amid the main, That every hour they knock at death's gate? And he that happy feems, and leaft in pain, Is yet as nigh his end, as he that most doth 'plain. The whiles fome one did chaunt their lovely lay, Doth firft peep forth with bashful modefty, So paffeth in the paffing of a day, Of mortal Life the leaf, the bud, the flower, No more doth flourish after first decay, That erft was fought to deck both bed and bower Of many a lady, and many a paramour; Gather the rofe of love, whilft yet is time, While loving thou mayft loved be, without a crime. SPENSER. ODE TO GOOD-NATURE. HAIL, Cherub of the highest heav'n, Celestial sweetness, exquisite of mien, Soft gracefulness, and blooming youth, That friendship reigns, no intereft can divide, Oh! curfe on Slander's vip'rous tongue, Without or virtue, talent, taste, or name, Is apathy, is heart of steel, Nor ear to hear, nor fenfe to feel, Life idly inoffenfive fuch a grace, That it should steal thy name, and take thy place? No-thou art active, spirit all, Swifter than lightning, at the call Of injur❜d innocence, or griev'd defert, And large with liberality thy heart, Thy appetites in easy tides (As Reafon's luminary guides) Soft, flow, no wind can work them to a storm, Yet, if a tranfport thou canft feel, 'Tis only for a neighbour's weal; Great, generous acts thy ductile paffions move, And fmilingly thou weep'ft with joy and love. Mild is thy mind to cover. fhame, Averfe to envy, flow to blame, Bursting to praise, yet ftill fincere and free, Extenfive, as from west to east, Thy love defcends from man to beast, |