Poems, chiefly pastoral By John Cunningham. The second edition. With the Addition of several pastorals and other pieces |
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THE BROKEN CHINA. |
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 | Poems, chiefly pastoral |  |
170
THE BROKEN CHINA.
I
Soon as the sun began to peep,And gild the morning skies,
Young Chloe from disorder'd sleep
Unveil'd her radiant eyes.
II
A guardian Sylph, the wanton spriteThat waited on her still,
Had teiz'd her all the tedious night
With visionary ill.
III
Some shock of fate is surely nigh,Exclaim'd the tim'rous maid:
What do these horrid dreams imply!
My Cupid can't be dead!
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IV
She call'd her Cupid by his name,In dread of some mishap;
Wagging his tail, her Cupid came,
And jump'd into her lap.
V
And now the best of brittle ware,Her sumptuous table grac'd:
The gentle emblems of the fair,
In beauteous order plac'd!
VI
The kettle boil'd, and all prepar'd:To give the morning treat,
When Dick, the country beau appear'd,
And bowing, took his seat.
VII
Well—chatting on, of that and this,The maid revers'd her cup;
And tempted by the forfeit kiss,
The bumpkin turn'd it up.
VIII
With transport he demands the prize;Right fairly it was won!
With many a frown the fair denies:
Fond baits to draw him on!
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IX
A man must prove himself polite,In such a case as this;
So Richard strives with all his might
To force the forfeit kiss.
X
But as he strove—O dire to tell!(And yet with grief I must)
The table turn'd—the china fell,
A heap of painted dust!
XI
O fatal purport of my dream!The fair afflicted, cry'd,
Occasion'd (I confess my shame)
By childishness and pride!
XII
For in a kiss, or two, or three,No mischief could be found!
Then had I been more frank and free,
My china had been sound.
| Poems, chiefly pastoral | |