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Sonnets, Lyrics and Translations

By the Rev. Charles Turner [i.e. Charles Tennyson]
 

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43

GOUT AND WINGS.

The pigeons flutter'd fieldward, one and all,
I saw the swallows wheel, and soar, and dive;
The little bees hung pois'd before the hive,
Even Partlet hois'd herself across the wall:
I felt my earth-bound lot in every limb,
And, in my envious mood, I half-rebell'd;
When lo! an insect cross'd the page I held,
A little helpless minim, slight and slim;
Ah! sure, there was no room for envy there,
But gracious aid and condescending care;
Alas! my pride and pity were mispent,
The atom knew his strength, and rose in air!
My gout came tingling back, as off he went,
A wing was open'd at me everywhere!

44

GOUT AND WINGS Continued

PODAGER BEGS PARDON OF BIRDS, BEES, AND WINGS IN GENERAL.

Pardon me, all ye birds that float at ease,
That I begrudg'd your fleet aërial joys;
And thou, poor Partlet! and ye little bees,
That hum and hover with a pleasant noise
About your homes of honey! 'twas a spirt
Of spleen—a peevish murmur of disease,
And not a measur'd curse to do you hurt:
And thou! who for a moment did'st displease,
Commission'd to rebuke my pride, and spring
Thy tiny pennons on me unaware;
Thy smart and sudden lesson was the thing
I needed.—Thou art gone I know not where!
But I have seen, beside my gouty chair,
A chiding angel, of the smallest wing.