Conversations introducing poetry chiefly on subjects of natural history. For the use of children and young persons. By Charlotte Smith |
 | I. | VOLUME I. |
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| 2. |
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| II. |
 | Conversations introducing poetry |  |
I. VOLUME I.
CONVERSATION THE FIRST.
6
TO A GREEN-CHAFER, ON A WHITE ROSE.
You dwell within a lovely bower,
Little chafer, gold and green,
Nestling in the fairest flower,
The rose of snow, the garden's queen.
Little chafer, gold and green,
Nestling in the fairest flower,
The rose of snow, the garden's queen.
There you drink the chrystal dew,
And your shards as emeralds bright
And corselet, of the ruby's hue,
Hide among the petals white.
And your shards as emeralds bright
And corselet, of the ruby's hue,
Hide among the petals white.
Your fringed feet may rest them there,
And there your filmy wings may close,
But do not wound the flower so fair
That shelters you in sweet repose.
And there your filmy wings may close,
But do not wound the flower so fair
That shelters you in sweet repose.
Insect! be not like him who dares
On pity's bosom to intrude,
And then that gentle bosom tears
With baseness and ingratitude.
On pity's bosom to intrude,
And then that gentle bosom tears
With baseness and ingratitude.
10
TO THE LADY-BIRD.
Oh! Lady-bird, Lady-bird, why dost thou roamSo far from thy comrades, so distant from home?
Why dost thou, who can revel all day in the air,
Who the sweets of the grove and the garden can share,
In the fold of a leaf, who can form thee a bower,
And a palace enjoy in the tube of a flower;
Ah, why, simple Lady-bird, why dost thou venture,
The dwellings of man so familiar to enter?
Too soon you may find, that your trust is misplac'd,
When by some cruel child you are wantonly chas'd,
And your bright scarlet coat, so bespotted with black,
May be torn by his barbarous hands from your back.
And your smooth jetty corselet be pierced with a pin,
That the urchin may see you in agonies spin;
For his bosom is shut against pity's appeals,
He has never been taught that a Lady-bird feels.
Ah, then you'll regret you were tempted to rove,
From the tall climbing hop, or the hazle's thick grove,
And will fondly remember each arbour and tree,
Where lately you wander'd contented and free;
Then fly, simple Lady-bird!—fly away home,
No more from your nest, and your children to roam.
11
[Queen of fragrance, lovely Rose]
EMILY.
Queen of fragrance, lovely Rose,
Thy soft and silken leaves disclose:
The winter's past, the tempests fly,
Soft gales breathe gently through the sky;
The silver dews and genial showers
Call forth a blooming waste of flowers;
And lo! thy beauties now unclose,
Queen of fragrance, lovely Rose!
Yet, ah! how soon that bloom is flown,
How soon thy blushing charms are gone!
To-day thy crimson buds unveil,
To-morrow scatter'd in the gale.
Ah! human bliss as swiftly goes,
And fades like thee, thou lovely Rose.
Thy soft and silken leaves disclose:
The winter's past, the tempests fly,
Soft gales breathe gently through the sky;
The silver dews and genial showers
Call forth a blooming waste of flowers;
And lo! thy beauties now unclose,
Queen of fragrance, lovely Rose!
Yet, ah! how soon that bloom is flown,
How soon thy blushing charms are gone!
To-day thy crimson buds unveil,
To-morrow scatter'd in the gale.
Ah! human bliss as swiftly goes,
And fades like thee, thou lovely Rose.
13
THE SNAIL.
To grass, or leaf, or fruit, or wall,
The snail sticks fast, nor fears to fall,
As if he grew there, house or all
together.
The snail sticks fast, nor fears to fall,
As if he grew there, house or all
together.
Within that house secure he hides,
When danger imminent betides
Of storm, or other harm besides,
of weather.
When danger imminent betides
Of storm, or other harm besides,
of weather.
Give but his horns the slightest touch,
His self-collecting power is such,
He shrinks into his house with much
displeasure.
His self-collecting power is such,
He shrinks into his house with much
displeasure.
Where'er he dwells, he dwells alone,
Except himself has chattels none,
Well satisfied to be his own
whole treasure.
Except himself has chattels none,
Well satisfied to be his own
whole treasure.
Thus Hermit like his life he leads
Alone, on simple viands feeds,
Nor at his humble banquet needs
attendant.
Alone, on simple viands feeds,
Nor at his humble banquet needs
attendant.
And tho' without society,
He finds 'tis pleasant to be free,
And that he's blest who need not be
dependant.
He finds 'tis pleasant to be free,
And that he's blest who need not be
dependant.
17
A WALK BY THE WATER.
EMILY.
Let us walk where reeds are growing,
By the alders in the mead;
Where the crystal streams are flowing,
In whose waves the fishes feed.
By the alders in the mead;
Where the crystal streams are flowing,
In whose waves the fishes feed.
There the golden carp is laving,
With the trout, the perch, and bream;
Mark! their flexile fins are waving,
As they glance along the stream.
With the trout, the perch, and bream;
Mark! their flexile fins are waving,
As they glance along the stream.
Now they sink in deeper billows,
Now upon the surface rise;
Or from under roots of willows,
Dart to catch the water flies.
Now upon the surface rise;
Or from under roots of willows,
Dart to catch the water flies.
'Midst the reeds and pebbles hiding,
See the minnow and the roach;
Or by water-lilies gliding,
Shun with fear our near approach.
See the minnow and the roach;
Or by water-lilies gliding,
Shun with fear our near approach.
18
Do not dread us timid fishes,
We have neither net nor hook;
Wanderers we, whose only wishes
Are to read in nature's book.
We have neither net nor hook;
Wanderers we, whose only wishes
Are to read in nature's book.
39
INVITATION TO THE BEE.
Child of patient industry,
Little active busy bee,
Thou art out at early morn,
Just as the opening flowers are born,
Among the green and grassy meads
Where the cowslips hang their heads;
Or by hedge-rows, while the dew
Glitters on the harebell blue.—
Little active busy bee,
Thou art out at early morn,
Just as the opening flowers are born,
Among the green and grassy meads
Where the cowslips hang their heads;
Or by hedge-rows, while the dew
Glitters on the harebell blue.—
Then on eager wing art flown,
To thymy hillocks on the down;
Or to revel on the broom;
Or suck the clover's crimson bloom;
Murmuring still thou busy bee
Thy little ode to industry!
To thymy hillocks on the down;
40
Or suck the clover's crimson bloom;
Murmuring still thou busy bee
Thy little ode to industry!
Go while summer suns are bright,
Take at large thy wandering flight;
Go and load thy tiny feet
With every rich and various sweet,
Cling around the flowring thorn,
Dive in the woodbine's honied horn,
Seek the wild rose that shades the dell,
Explore the foxglove's freckled bell,
Or in the heath flower's fairy cup
Drink the fragrant spirit up.
Take at large thy wandering flight;
Go and load thy tiny feet
With every rich and various sweet,
Cling around the flowring thorn,
Dive in the woodbine's honied horn,
Seek the wild rose that shades the dell,
Explore the foxglove's freckled bell,
Or in the heath flower's fairy cup
Drink the fragrant spirit up.
But when the meadows shall be mown,
And summer's garlands overblown;
Then come thou little busy bee,
And let thy homestead be with me,
There, shelter'd by thy straw-built hive,
In my garden thou shalt live,
And that garden shall supply
Thy delicious alchemy;
There for thee, in autumn, blows
The Indian pink and latest rose,
The mignonette perfumes the air,
And stocks, unfading flowers, are there.
Yet fear not when the tempests come,
And drive thee to thy waxen home,
That I shall then most treacherously
For thy honey murder thee.
And summer's garlands overblown;
Then come thou little busy bee,
And let thy homestead be with me,
There, shelter'd by thy straw-built hive,
In my garden thou shalt live,
And that garden shall supply
Thy delicious alchemy;
There for thee, in autumn, blows
The Indian pink and latest rose,
The mignonette perfumes the air,
And stocks, unfading flowers, are there.
41
And drive thee to thy waxen home,
That I shall then most treacherously
For thy honey murder thee.
Ah, no!—throughout the winter drear
I'll feed thee, that another year
Thou may'st renew thy industry
Among the flowers, thou little busy bee.
I'll feed thee, that another year
Thou may'st renew thy industry
Among the flowers, thou little busy bee.
CONVERSATION THE SECOND.
46
THE HEDGE-HOG SEEN IN A FREQUENTED PATH.
Wherefore should man or thoughtless boy
Thy quiet harmless life destroy,
Innoxious urchin?—for thy food
Is but the beetle and the fly,
And all thy harmless luxury
The swarming insects of the wood.
Thy quiet harmless life destroy,
Innoxious urchin?—for thy food
Is but the beetle and the fly,
And all thy harmless luxury
The swarming insects of the wood.
47
Should man to whom his God has given
Reason, the brightest ray of heaven,
Delight to hurt, in senseless mirth,
Inferior animals?—and dare
To use his power in waging war
Against his brethren of the earth?
Reason, the brightest ray of heaven,
Delight to hurt, in senseless mirth,
Inferior animals?—and dare
To use his power in waging war
Against his brethren of the earth?
Poor creature! to the woods resort,
Lest lingering here, inhuman sport
Should render vain thy thorny case;
And whelming water, deep and cold,
Make thee thy spiny ball unfold,
And shew thy simple negro face!
Lest lingering here, inhuman sport
Should render vain thy thorny case;
And whelming water, deep and cold,
Make thee thy spiny ball unfold,
And shew thy simple negro face!
Fly from the cruel; know than they
Less fierce are ravenous beasts of prey,
And should perchance these last come near thee;
And fox or martin cat assail,
Thou, safe within thy coat of mail,
May cry—Ah! noli me tangere.
Less fierce are ravenous beasts of prey,
And should perchance these last come near thee;
And fox or martin cat assail,
Thou, safe within thy coat of mail,
May cry—Ah! noli me tangere.
52
THE EARLY BUTTERFLY.
Trusting the first warm day of spring,
When transient sunshine warms the sky,
Light on his yellow spotted wing
Comes forth the early butterfly.
When transient sunshine warms the sky,
Light on his yellow spotted wing
Comes forth the early butterfly.
With wavering flight, he settles now
Where pilewort spreads its blossoms fair,
Or on the grass where daisies blow,
Pausing, he rests his pinions there.
Where pilewort spreads its blossoms fair,
Or on the grass where daisies blow,
Pausing, he rests his pinions there.
53
But insect! in a luckless hour
Thou from thy winter home hast come,
For yet is seen no luscious flower
With odour rich, and honied bloom.
Thou from thy winter home hast come,
For yet is seen no luscious flower
With odour rich, and honied bloom.
And these that to the early day
Yet timidly their bells unfold,
Close with the sun's retreating ray,
And shut their humid eyes of gold.
Yet timidly their bells unfold,
Close with the sun's retreating ray,
And shut their humid eyes of gold.
For night's dark shades then gather round,
And night-winds whistle cold and keen,
And hoary frost will crisp the ground
And blight the leaves of budding green!
And night-winds whistle cold and keen,
And hoary frost will crisp the ground
And blight the leaves of budding green!
And thou poor fly! so soft and frail,
May'st perish e'er returning morn,
Nor ever, on the summer gale,
To taste of summer sweets be borne!
May'st perish e'er returning morn,
Nor ever, on the summer gale,
To taste of summer sweets be borne!
Thus unexperienc'd rashness will presume
On the fair promise of life's opening day,
Nor dreams how soon the adverse storms may come,
“That hush'd in grim repose, expect their evening prey.”
On the fair promise of life's opening day,
Nor dreams how soon the adverse storms may come,
“That hush'd in grim repose, expect their evening prey.”
56
THE MOTH.
When dews fall fast, and rosy day
Fades slowly in the west away,
While evening breezes bend the future sheaves;
Votary of vesper's humid light,
The moth, pale wanderer of the night,
From his green cradle comes, amid the whispering leaves.
Fades slowly in the west away,
While evening breezes bend the future sheaves;
Votary of vesper's humid light,
The moth, pale wanderer of the night,
From his green cradle comes, amid the whispering leaves.
The birds on insect life that feast,
Now in their woody coverts rest,
The swallow slumbers in his dome of clay,
And of the numerous tribes who war
On the small denizens of air,
The shrieking bat alone is on the wing for prey.
Now in their woody coverts rest,
The swallow slumbers in his dome of clay,
And of the numerous tribes who war
On the small denizens of air,
The shrieking bat alone is on the wing for prey.
57
Eluding him, on lacey plume
The silver moth enjoys the gloom,
Glancing on tremulous wing thro' twilight bowers,
Now flits where warm nasturtiums glow,
Now quivers on the jasmine bough,
And sucks with spiral tongue the balm of sleeping flowers.
The silver moth enjoys the gloom,
Glancing on tremulous wing thro' twilight bowers,
Now flits where warm nasturtiums glow,
Now quivers on the jasmine bough,
And sucks with spiral tongue the balm of sleeping flowers.
Yet if from open casement stream
The taper's bright aspiring beam,
And strikes with comet ray his dazzled sight;
Nor perfum'd leaf, nor honied flower,
To check his wild career have power,
But to the attracting flame he takes his rapid flight.
The taper's bright aspiring beam,
And strikes with comet ray his dazzled sight;
Nor perfum'd leaf, nor honied flower,
To check his wild career have power,
But to the attracting flame he takes his rapid flight.
Round it he darts in dizzy rings,
And soon his soft and powder'd wings
Are singed; and dimmer grow his pearly eyes,
And now his struggling feet are foil'd,
And scorch'd, entangled, burnt, and soil'd,
His fragile form is lost—the wretched insect dies!
And soon his soft and powder'd wings
Are singed; and dimmer grow his pearly eyes,
And now his struggling feet are foil'd,
And scorch'd, entangled, burnt, and soil'd,
His fragile form is lost—the wretched insect dies!
Emblem too just of one, whose way
Thro the calm vale of life might lay,
Yet lured by vanity's illusive fires
Far from that tranquil vale aside,
Like this poor insect suicide
Follows the fatal light, and in its flame expires.
Thro the calm vale of life might lay,
Yet lured by vanity's illusive fires
Far from that tranquil vale aside,
Like this poor insect suicide
Follows the fatal light, and in its flame expires.
59
THE GLOW-WORM.
If on some balmy breathing night of SpringThe happy child, to whom the world is new,
Pursues the evening moth of mealy wing,
Or from the heath flower beats the sparkling dew,
He sees, before his inexperienc'd eyes,
The brilliant glow-worm like a meteor shine
On the turf bank; amaz'd and pleas'd he cries,
“Star of the dewy grass, I make thee mine!”
Then, e'er he sleeps, collects the moisten'd flower,
And bids soft leaves his glittering prize enfold,
And dreams that fairy lamps illume his bower,
Yet with the morning shudders to behold
His lucid treasure, rayless as the dust.
So turns the world's bright joys to cold and blank disgust.
71
THE MIMOSA.
Softly blow the western breezes,
Sweetly shines the evening sun;
But you, mimosa! nothing pleases,
You, what delights your comrades teizes,
What they enjoy you try to shun.
Sweetly shines the evening sun;
But you, mimosa! nothing pleases,
You, what delights your comrades teizes,
What they enjoy you try to shun.
Alike annoy'd by heat or cold,
Ever too little or too much,
As if by heaviest winds controul'd,
Your leaves before a zephyr fold,
And tremble at the slightest touch.
Ever too little or too much,
As if by heaviest winds controul'd,
Your leaves before a zephyr fold,
And tremble at the slightest touch.
Flutt'ring around, in playful rings,
A gilded fly your beauty greeted;
But, from his light and filmy wings,
As if he had lanced a thousand stings,
Your shuddering folioles retreated!
A gilded fly your beauty greeted;
But, from his light and filmy wings,
As if he had lanced a thousand stings,
Your shuddering folioles retreated!
Those feathery leaves are like the plume,
Pluck'd from the bird of Indian skies;
But should you therefore thus presume,
While others boast a fairer bloom,
All that surrounds you to despise?
Pluck'd from the bird of Indian skies;
But should you therefore thus presume,
While others boast a fairer bloom,
All that surrounds you to despise?
The rose, whose blushing blossoms blow,
Pride of the vegetal creation,
The air and light disdains not so,
And the fastidious pride you show,
Is not reserve, but affectation.
Pride of the vegetal creation,
The air and light disdains not so,
And the fastidious pride you show,
Is not reserve, but affectation.
75
THE DORMOUSE JUST TAKEN.
Sleep on, sleep on, poor captive mouse,
Oh sleep! unconscious of the fate
That ruthless spoil'd thy cosey house,
And tore thee from thy mate.
Oh sleep! unconscious of the fate
That ruthless spoil'd thy cosey house,
And tore thee from thy mate.
76
What barbarous hand could thus molest
A little innocent like thee,
And drag thee from thy mossy nest
To sad captivity?
A little innocent like thee,
And drag thee from thy mossy nest
To sad captivity?
Ah! when suspended life again
Thy torpid senses shall recall,
Poor guiltless prisoner! what pain
Thy bosom shall appal.
Thy torpid senses shall recall,
Poor guiltless prisoner! what pain
Thy bosom shall appal.
When starting up in wild affright,
Thy bright round eyes shall vainly seek
Thy tiny spouse, with breast so white,
Thy whisker'd brethren sleek;
Thy bright round eyes shall vainly seek
Thy tiny spouse, with breast so white,
Thy whisker'd brethren sleek;
Thy snug warm nest with feathers lined,
Thy winter store of roots and corn;
Nor nuts nor beech-mast shalt thou find,
The toil of many a morn.
Thy winter store of roots and corn;
Nor nuts nor beech-mast shalt thou find,
The toil of many a morn.
Thy soft white feet around thy cage
Will cling; while thou in hopeless pain
Wilt waste thy little life in rage,
To find thy struggles vain!
Will cling; while thou in hopeless pain
Wilt waste thy little life in rage,
To find thy struggles vain!
Yet since thou'rt fall'n in gentle hands,
Oh! captive mouse, allay thy grief,
For light shall be thy silken bands,
And time afford relief.
Oh! captive mouse, allay thy grief,
For light shall be thy silken bands,
And time afford relief.
77
Warm is the lodging, soft the bed,
Thy little mistress will prepare;
By her kind hands thou shalt be fed,
And dainties be thy fare.
Thy little mistress will prepare;
By her kind hands thou shalt be fed,
And dainties be thy fare.
But neither men nor mice forget
Their native home, where'er they be,
And fondly thou wilt still regret
Thy wild woods, loves, and liberty!
Their native home, where'er they be,
And fondly thou wilt still regret
Thy wild woods, loves, and liberty!
CONVERSATION THE THIRD.
96
1. [FIRST PART]
VIOLETS.
EMILY.
Sweet Violets! from your humble beds
Among the moss, beneath the thorn,
You rear your unprotected heads,
And brave the cold and chearless morn
Of early March; not yet are past
The wintry cloud, the sullen blast,
Which, when your fragrant buds shall blow,
May lay those purple beauties low.
Ah stay awhile, till warmer showers
And brighter suns shall chear the day;
Sweet Violets stay, till hardier flowers
Prepare to meet the lovely May.
Then from your mossy shelter come,
And rival every richer bloom;
For though their colours gayer shine,
Their odours do not equal thine.
And thus real merit still may dare to vie,
With all that wealth bestows, or pageant heraldry.
Among the moss, beneath the thorn,
You rear your unprotected heads,
And brave the cold and chearless morn
Of early March; not yet are past
The wintry cloud, the sullen blast,
Which, when your fragrant buds shall blow,
May lay those purple beauties low.
79
And brighter suns shall chear the day;
Sweet Violets stay, till hardier flowers
Prepare to meet the lovely May.
Then from your mossy shelter come,
And rival every richer bloom;
For though their colours gayer shine,
Their odours do not equal thine.
And thus real merit still may dare to vie,
With all that wealth bestows, or pageant heraldry.
95
TO THE SNOW-DROP.
EMILY.
Like pendant flakes of vegetating snow,
The early herald of the infant year,
E'er yet the adventurous Crocus dares to blow
Beneath the orchard boughs, thy buds appear.
The early herald of the infant year,
E'er yet the adventurous Crocus dares to blow
Beneath the orchard boughs, thy buds appear.
While still the cold north-east ungenial lowers,
And scarce the hazle in the leafless copse
Or sallows shew their downy powder'd flowers,
The grass is spangled with thy silver drops.
And scarce the hazle in the leafless copse
Or sallows shew their downy powder'd flowers,
The grass is spangled with thy silver drops.
Yet, when those pallid blossoms shall give place
To countless tribes of richer hue and scent,
Summer's gay blooms, and Autumn's yellow race,
I shall thy pale inodorous bells lament.
To countless tribes of richer hue and scent,
Summer's gay blooms, and Autumn's yellow race,
I shall thy pale inodorous bells lament.
So journeying onward in life's varying track,
Even while warm youth its bright illusion lends,
Fond Memory often with regret looks back
To childhood's pleasures, and to infant friends.
Even while warm youth its bright illusion lends,
Fond Memory often with regret looks back
To childhood's pleasures, and to infant friends.
102
THE HUMBLE BEE.
Good morrow, gentle humble bee,
You are abroad betimes, I see,
And sportive fly from tree to tree,
To take the air;
You are abroad betimes, I see,
And sportive fly from tree to tree,
To take the air;
And visit each gay flower that blows;
While every bell and bud that glows,
Quite from the daisy to the rose,
Your visits share.
While every bell and bud that glows,
Quite from the daisy to the rose,
Your visits share.
Saluting now the pied carnation,
Now on the aster taking station,
Murmuring your ardent admiration;
Then off you frisk,
Now on the aster taking station,
Murmuring your ardent admiration;
Then off you frisk,
Where poppies hang their heavy heads,
Or where the gorgeous sun-flower spreads
For you her luscious golden beds,
On her broad disk.
Or where the gorgeous sun-flower spreads
For you her luscious golden beds,
On her broad disk.
To live on pleasure's painted wing,
To feed on all the sweets of Spring,
Must be a mighty pleasant thing,
If it would last.
To feed on all the sweets of Spring,
Must be a mighty pleasant thing,
If it would last.
103
But you, no doubt, have wisely thought,
These joys may be too dearly bought,
And will not unprepar'd be caught
When Summer's past.
These joys may be too dearly bought,
And will not unprepar'd be caught
When Summer's past.
For soon will fly the laughing hours,
And this delightful waste of flowers
Will shrink before the wintry showers
And winds so keen.
And this delightful waste of flowers
Will shrink before the wintry showers
And winds so keen.
Alas! who then will lend you aid,
If your dry cell be yet unmade,
Nor store of wax and honey laid
In magazine?
If your dry cell be yet unmade,
Nor store of wax and honey laid
In magazine?
Then, Lady Buzz, you will repent,
That hours for useful labour meant
Were so unprofitably spent,
And idly lost.
That hours for useful labour meant
Were so unprofitably spent,
And idly lost.
By cold and hunger keen oppress'd,
Say, will your yellow velvet vest,
Or the fur tippet on your breast,
Shield you from frost?
Say, will your yellow velvet vest,
Or the fur tippet on your breast,
Shield you from frost?
Ah! haste your winter stock to save,
That snug within your Christmas cave,
When snows fall fast and tempests rave,
You may remain.
That snug within your Christmas cave,
When snows fall fast and tempests rave,
You may remain.
104
And the hard season braving there,
On Spring's warm gales you will repair,
Elate thro' chrystal fields of air,
To bliss again!
On Spring's warm gales you will repair,
Elate thro' chrystal fields of air,
To bliss again!
2. SECOND PART.
116
THE GRASSHOPPER.
Happy insect, what can beIn happiness compar'd to thee,
Fed with nourishment divine,
The dewy morning's chrystal wine;
117
And thy verdant cup doth fill.
All the fields which thou dost see,
All the plants belong to thee;
All that Summer suns produce
Are, blest insect! for thy use:
While thy feast doth not destroy
The verdure thou dost thus enjoy,
But the blythe shepherd haileth thee,
Singing as musical as he;
And peasants love thy voice to hear,
Prophet of the ripening year.
To thee of all things upon earth,
Life is no longer than thy mirth.
Insect truly blest! for thou
Dost neither age nor winter know;
But, when thou hast danc'd and sung
Thy fill, the flowers and leaves among,
Sated with thy Summer feast
Thou retir'st to endless rest.
121
THE SQUIRREL.
The Squirrel, with aspiring mind,
Disdains to be to earth confin'd,
But mounts aloft in air:
The pine-tree's giddiest height he climbs,
Or scales the beech-tree's loftiest limbs,
And builds his castle there.
Disdains to be to earth confin'd,
But mounts aloft in air:
The pine-tree's giddiest height he climbs,
Or scales the beech-tree's loftiest limbs,
And builds his castle there.
As Nature's wildest tenants free,
A merry forester is he,
In oak o'ershadow'd dells,
Or glen remote, or woodland lawn,
Where the doe hides her infant fawn,
Among the birds he dwells.
A merry forester is he,
In oak o'ershadow'd dells,
Or glen remote, or woodland lawn,
Where the doe hides her infant fawn,
Among the birds he dwells.
Within some old fantastic tree,
Where time has worn a cavity,
His winter food is stor'd:
The cone beset with many a scale,
The chesnut in its coat of mail,
Or nuts complete his hoard.
Where time has worn a cavity,
His winter food is stor'd:
122
The chesnut in its coat of mail,
Or nuts complete his hoard.
And of wise prescience thus possess'd,
He near it rears his airy nest,
With twigs and moss entwin'd,
And gives its roof a conic form,
Where safely shelter'd from the storm
He braves the rain and wind.
He near it rears his airy nest,
With twigs and moss entwin'd,
And gives its roof a conic form,
Where safely shelter'd from the storm
He braves the rain and wind.
Though plumeless, he can dart away,
Swift as the woodpecker or jay,
His sportive mate to woo:
His Summer food is berries wild,
And last year's acorn cups are fill'd
For him with sparkling dew.
Swift as the woodpecker or jay,
His sportive mate to woo:
His Summer food is berries wild,
And last year's acorn cups are fill'd
For him with sparkling dew.
Soft is his shining auburn coat,
As ermine white his downy throat,
Intelligent his mien;
With feathery tail and ears alert,
And little paws as hands expert,
And eyes so black and keen.
As ermine white his downy throat,
Intelligent his mien;
With feathery tail and ears alert,
And little paws as hands expert,
And eyes so black and keen.
Soaring above the earth-born herd
Of beasts, he emulates the bird,
Yet feels no want of wings:
Exactly pois'd, he dares to launch
In air, and bounds from branch to branch
With swift elastic springs.
Of beasts, he emulates the bird,
Yet feels no want of wings:
Exactly pois'd, he dares to launch
In air, and bounds from branch to branch
With swift elastic springs.
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And thus the Man of mental worth
May rise above the humblest birth,
And adverse Fate control;
If to the upright heart be join'd
The active persevering mind,
And firm unshaken Soul.
May rise above the humblest birth,
And adverse Fate control;
If to the upright heart be join'd
The active persevering mind,
And firm unshaken Soul.
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THE GLOW-WORM.
Bright insect! that on humid leaves and grassLights up thy fairy lamp; as if to guide
The steps of labouring swains that homeward pass,
Well pleas'd to see thee chear the pathway side,
Betokening cloudless skies and pleasant days;
While he whom evening's sober charms invite
In shady woodlanes, often stops to gaze,
And moralizing hails thy emerald light!
On the fair tresses of the roseate morn,
Translucent dews, as precious gems appear,
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“Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear.”
Though the rude bramble, or the fan-like ferns,
Around thee their o'ershadowing branches spread,
Steady and clear thy phosphor brilliance burns,
And thy soft rays illuminate the shade.
Thus the calm brightness of superior minds
Makes them amid misfortune's shadow blest,
And thus the radiant spark of Genius shines,
Though skreen'd by Envy, or by Pride oppress'd.
CONVERSATION THE FOURTH.
134
TO A BUTTERFLY IN A WINDOW.
Escaped thy place of wintry rest,
And in the brightest colours drest,
Thy new-born wings prepared for flight,
Ah! do not, Butterfly, in vain
Thus flutter on the crystal pane,
But go! and soar to life and light.
And in the brightest colours drest,
Thy new-born wings prepared for flight,
Ah! do not, Butterfly, in vain
Thus flutter on the crystal pane,
But go! and soar to life and light.
High on the buoyant Summer gale
Thro' cloudless ether thou may'st sail,
Or rest among the fairest flowers;
To meet thy winnowing friends may'st speed,
Or at thy choice luxurious feed
In woodlands wild, or garden bowers.
Thro' cloudless ether thou may'st sail,
Or rest among the fairest flowers;
To meet thy winnowing friends may'st speed,
Or at thy choice luxurious feed
In woodlands wild, or garden bowers.
Beneath some leaf of ample shade
Thy pearly eggs shall then be laid,
Small rudiments of many a fly;
While thou, thy frail existence past,
Shall shudder in the chilly blast,
And fold thy painted wings and die!
Thy pearly eggs shall then be laid,
Small rudiments of many a fly;
While thou, thy frail existence past,
Shall shudder in the chilly blast,
And fold thy painted wings and die!
Soon fleets thy transient life away;
Yet short as is thy vital day,
Like flowers that form thy fragrant food;
Thou, poor Ephemeron, shalt have filled
The little space thy Maker willed,
And all thou know'st of life be good.
Yet short as is thy vital day,
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Thou, poor Ephemeron, shalt have filled
The little space thy Maker willed,
And all thou know'st of life be good.
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WILD FLOWERS.
Fair rising from her icy couch,
Wan herald of the floral year,
The Snow-drop marks the Spring's approach,
E'er yet the Primrose groups appear,
Or peers the Arum from its spotted veil,
Or odorous Violets scent the cold capricious gale.
Wan herald of the floral year,
The Snow-drop marks the Spring's approach,
E'er yet the Primrose groups appear,
Or peers the Arum from its spotted veil,
Or odorous Violets scent the cold capricious gale.
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Then thickly strewn in woodland bowers
Anemonies their stars unfold;
There spring the Sorrel's veined flowers,
And rich in vegetable gold
From calyx pale, the freckled Cowslip born,
Receives in amber cups the fragrant dews of morn.
Anemonies their stars unfold;
There spring the Sorrel's veined flowers,
And rich in vegetable gold
From calyx pale, the freckled Cowslip born,
Receives in amber cups the fragrant dews of morn.
Lo! the green Thorn her silver buds
Expands, to May's enlivening beam;
Hottonia blushes on the floods;
And where the slowly trickling stream
Mid grass and spiry rushes stealing glides,
Her lovely fringed flowers fair Menyanthes hides.
Expands, to May's enlivening beam;
Hottonia blushes on the floods;
And where the slowly trickling stream
Mid grass and spiry rushes stealing glides,
Her lovely fringed flowers fair Menyanthes hides.
In the lone copse or shadowy dale,
Wild cluster'd knots of Harebells blow,
And droops the Lily of the vale
O'er Vinca's matted leaves below,
The Orchis race with varied beauty charm,
And mock the exploring bee, or fly's aerial form.
Wild cluster'd knots of Harebells blow,
And droops the Lily of the vale
O'er Vinca's matted leaves below,
The Orchis race with varied beauty charm,
And mock the exploring bee, or fly's aerial form.
Wound in the hedgerow's oaken boughs,
The Woodbine's tassels float in air,
And blushing, the uncultured Rose
Hangs high her beauteous blossoms there;
Her fillets there the purple Nightshade weaves,
And the Brionia winds her pale and scolloped leaves.
The Woodbine's tassels float in air,
And blushing, the uncultured Rose
Hangs high her beauteous blossoms there;
Her fillets there the purple Nightshade weaves,
And the Brionia winds her pale and scolloped leaves.
To later Summer's fragrant breath
Clemati's feathery garlands dance;
The hollow Foxglove nods beneath,
While the tall Mullein's yellow lance,
Dear to the meally tribe of evening, towers,
And the weak Galium weaves its myriad fairy flowers.
Clemati's feathery garlands dance;
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While the tall Mullein's yellow lance,
Dear to the meally tribe of evening, towers,
And the weak Galium weaves its myriad fairy flowers.
Sheltering the coot's or wild duck's nest,
And where the timid halcyon hides,
The Willow-herb, in crimson drest,
Waves with Arundo o'er the tides;
And there the bright Nymphea loves to lave,
Or spreads her golden orbs upon the dimpling wave.
And where the timid halcyon hides,
The Willow-herb, in crimson drest,
Waves with Arundo o'er the tides;
And there the bright Nymphea loves to lave,
Or spreads her golden orbs upon the dimpling wave.
And thou! by pain and sorrow blest,
Papaver! that an opiate dew
Conceal'st beneath thy scarlet vest,
Contrasting with the Corn flower blue,
Autumnal months behold thy gauzy leaves
Bend in the rustling gale, amid the tawny sheaves.
Papaver! that an opiate dew
Conceal'st beneath thy scarlet vest,
Contrasting with the Corn flower blue,
Autumnal months behold thy gauzy leaves
Bend in the rustling gale, amid the tawny sheaves.
From the first bud whose venturous head
The Winter's lingering tempest braves,
To those which mid the foliage dead
Sink latest to their annual grave,
All are for food, for health, or pleasure given,
And speak in various ways the bounteous hand of Heaven.
The Winter's lingering tempest braves,
To those which mid the foliage dead
Sink latest to their annual grave,
All are for food, for health, or pleasure given,
And speak in various ways the bounteous hand of Heaven.
159
THE HOT-HOUSE ROSE.
An early Rose borne from her genial bower
Met the fond homage of admiring eyes,
And while young Zephyr fann'd the lovely flower,
Nature and Art contended for the prize.
Met the fond homage of admiring eyes,
And while young Zephyr fann'd the lovely flower,
Nature and Art contended for the prize.
Exulting Nature cried, I made thee fair,
'Twas I that nursed thy tender buds in dew;
I gave thee fragrance to perfume the air,
And stole from beauty's cheek her blushing hue.
'Twas I that nursed thy tender buds in dew;
I gave thee fragrance to perfume the air,
And stole from beauty's cheek her blushing hue.
Vainly fastidious novelty affects
O'er alpine heights and untrod wilds to roam,
From rocks and swamps her foreign plants collects,
And brings the rare but scentless treasures home.
O'er alpine heights and untrod wilds to roam,
From rocks and swamps her foreign plants collects,
And brings the rare but scentless treasures home.
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Midst Art's factitious children let them be
In sickly state by names pedantic known,
True taste's unbiassed eye shall turn to thee,
And love and beauty mark thee for their own.
In sickly state by names pedantic known,
True taste's unbiassed eye shall turn to thee,
And love and beauty mark thee for their own.
Cease goddess, cease, indignant Art replied,
And e'er you triumph, know that but for me
This beauteous object of our mutual pride
Had been no other than a vulgar tree.
And e'er you triumph, know that but for me
This beauteous object of our mutual pride
Had been no other than a vulgar tree.
I snatched her from her tardy mother's arms,
Where sun-beams scorch and piercing tempests blow;
On my warm bosom nursed her infant charms,
Pruned the wild shoot, and trained the straggling bough.
Where sun-beams scorch and piercing tempests blow;
On my warm bosom nursed her infant charms,
Pruned the wild shoot, and trained the straggling bough.
I watched her tender buds, and from her shade
Drew each intruding weed with anxious care,
Nor let the curling blight her leaves invade,
Nor worm nor noxious insect harbour there;
Drew each intruding weed with anxious care,
Nor let the curling blight her leaves invade,
Nor worm nor noxious insect harbour there;
At length the beauty's loveliest bloom appears,
And Art from Fame shall win the promised boon,
While wayward April smiling through her tears
Decks her fair tresses with the wreaths of June.
And Art from Fame shall win the promised boon,
While wayward April smiling through her tears
Decks her fair tresses with the wreaths of June.
Then jealous Nature, yield the palm to me,
To me thy pride its early triumph owes;
Though thy rude workmanship produced the tree,
'Twas Education formed the perfect Rose!
To me thy pride its early triumph owes;
Though thy rude workmanship produced the tree,
'Twas Education formed the perfect Rose!
CONVERSATION THE FIFTH.
168
THE ROBIN'S PETITION.
“A suppliant to your window comes,
“Who trusts your faith and fears no guile,
“He claims admittance for your crumbs,
“And reads his passport in your smile.
“Who trusts your faith and fears no guile,
“He claims admittance for your crumbs,
“And reads his passport in your smile.
“For cold and cheerless is the day,
“And he has sought the hedges round;
“No berry hangs upon the spray,
“Nor worm nor ant-egg can be found.
“And he has sought the hedges round;
“No berry hangs upon the spray,
“Nor worm nor ant-egg can be found.
“Secure his suit will be preferr'd,
“No fears his slender feet deter;
“For sacred is the household bird
“That wears the scarlet stomacher.”
“No fears his slender feet deter;
“For sacred is the household bird
“That wears the scarlet stomacher.”
Lucy the prayer assenting heard,
The feather'd suppliant flew to her,
And fondly cherish'd was the bird,
That wears the scarlet stomacher.
The feather'd suppliant flew to her,
And fondly cherish'd was the bird,
That wears the scarlet stomacher.
Embolden'd then, he'd fearless perch
Her netting or her work among,
For crumbs among her drawings search,
And add his music to her song;
Her netting or her work among,
For crumbs among her drawings search,
And add his music to her song;
And warbling on her snowy arm,
Or half entangled in her hair,
Seemed conscious of the double charm
Of freedom, and protection there.
Or half entangled in her hair,
Seemed conscious of the double charm
Of freedom, and protection there.
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A graver moralist, who used
From all some lesson to infer,
Thus said, as on the bird she mused,
Pluming his scarlet stomacher—
From all some lesson to infer,
Thus said, as on the bird she mused,
Pluming his scarlet stomacher—
“Where are his gay companions now,
“Who sung so merrily in Spring?
“Some shivering on the leafless bough,
“With ruffled plume, and drooping wing.
“Who sung so merrily in Spring?
“Some shivering on the leafless bough,
“With ruffled plume, and drooping wing.
“Some in the hollow of a cave,
“Consign'd to temporary death;
“And some beneath the sluggish wave
“Await reviving nature's breath.
“Consign'd to temporary death;
“And some beneath the sluggish wave
“Await reviving nature's breath.
“The migrant tribes are fled away,
“To skies were insect myriads swarm,
“They vanish with the Summer day,
“Nor bide the bitter northern storm.
“To skies were insect myriads swarm,
“They vanish with the Summer day,
“Nor bide the bitter northern storm.
“But still is this sweet minstrel heard,
“While lours December dark and drear,
“The social, chearful, household bird,
“That wears the scarlet stomacher.
“While lours December dark and drear,
“The social, chearful, household bird,
“That wears the scarlet stomacher.
“And thus in life's propitious hour,
“Approving flatterers round us sport,
“But if the faithless prospect lour,
“They the more happy fly to court.
“Approving flatterers round us sport,
“But if the faithless prospect lour,
“They the more happy fly to court.
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THE CAPTIVE FLY.
Seduced by idle change and luxury,
See in vain struggles the expiring fly,
He perishes! for lo, in evil hour,
He rushed to taste of yonder garish flower,
Which in young beauty's loveliest colours drest,
Conceals destruction in her treacherous breast,
While round the roseate chalice odours breathe,
And lure the wanderer to voluptuous death.
See in vain struggles the expiring fly,
He perishes! for lo, in evil hour,
He rushed to taste of yonder garish flower,
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Conceals destruction in her treacherous breast,
While round the roseate chalice odours breathe,
And lure the wanderer to voluptuous death.
Ill-fated vagrant! did no instinct cry,
Shun the sweet mischief?—No experienc'd fly
Bid thee of this fair smiling fiend beware,
And say, the false Apocynum is there?
Ah wherefore quit for this Circean draught
The Bean's ambrosial flower, with incense fraught,
Or where with promise rich, Fragaria spreads
Her spangling blossoms on her leafy beds;
Could thy wild flight no softer blooms detain?
And tower'd the Lilac's purple groups in vain?
Or waving showers of golden blossoms, where
Laburnum's pensile tassels float in air,
When thou within those topaz keels might creep
Secure, and rock'd by lulling winds to sleep.
Shun the sweet mischief?—No experienc'd fly
Bid thee of this fair smiling fiend beware,
And say, the false Apocynum is there?
Ah wherefore quit for this Circean draught
The Bean's ambrosial flower, with incense fraught,
Or where with promise rich, Fragaria spreads
Her spangling blossoms on her leafy beds;
Could thy wild flight no softer blooms detain?
And tower'd the Lilac's purple groups in vain?
Or waving showers of golden blossoms, where
Laburnum's pensile tassels float in air,
When thou within those topaz keels might creep
Secure, and rock'd by lulling winds to sleep.
But now no more for thee shall June unclose
Her spicey Clove-pink, and her damask Rose;
Not for thy food shall swell the downy Peach,
Nor Raspberries blush beneath the embowering Beech.
In efforts vain thy fragile wings are torn,
Sharp with distress resounds thy small shrill horn,
While thy gay happy comrades hear thy cry,
Yet heed thee not, and careless frolic by,
Till thou, sad victim, every struggle o'er,
Despairing sink, and feel thy fate no more.
An insect lost should thus the muse bewail?
Ah no! but 'tis the moral points the tale
From the mild friend, who seeks with candid truth
To show its errors to presumptuous Youth;
From the fond caution of parental care,
Whose watchful love detects the hidden snare,
How do the Young reject, with proud disdain,
Wisdom's firm voice, and Reason's prudent rein,
And urge, on pleasure bent, the impetuous way,
Heedless of all but of the present day,
Then while false meteor-lights their steps entice,
They taste, they drink, the empoisoned cup of vice;
Till misery follows; and too late they mourn,
Lost in the fatal gulph, from whence there's no return.
Her spicey Clove-pink, and her damask Rose;
Not for thy food shall swell the downy Peach,
Nor Raspberries blush beneath the embowering Beech.
In efforts vain thy fragile wings are torn,
Sharp with distress resounds thy small shrill horn,
While thy gay happy comrades hear thy cry,
Yet heed thee not, and careless frolic by,
Till thou, sad victim, every struggle o'er,
Despairing sink, and feel thy fate no more.
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Ah no! but 'tis the moral points the tale
From the mild friend, who seeks with candid truth
To show its errors to presumptuous Youth;
From the fond caution of parental care,
Whose watchful love detects the hidden snare,
How do the Young reject, with proud disdain,
Wisdom's firm voice, and Reason's prudent rein,
And urge, on pleasure bent, the impetuous way,
Heedless of all but of the present day,
Then while false meteor-lights their steps entice,
They taste, they drink, the empoisoned cup of vice;
Till misery follows; and too late they mourn,
Lost in the fatal gulph, from whence there's no return.
179
THE CRICKET.
Little inmate full of mirth,
Chirping on my humble hearth,
Wheresoe'er be thine abode,
Always harbinger of good,
Pay me for thy warm retreat
With a song most soft and sweet,
In return thou shalt receive
Such a song as I can give.
Chirping on my humble hearth,
Wheresoe'er be thine abode,
Always harbinger of good,
Pay me for thy warm retreat
With a song most soft and sweet,
In return thou shalt receive
Such a song as I can give.
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Though in voice and shape they be
Form'd as if akin to thee,
Thou surpassest, happier far,
Happiest Grasshoppers that are;
Theirs is but a Summer song,
Thine endures the Winter long,
Unimpair'd, and shrill and clear,
Melody throughout the year.
Form'd as if akin to thee,
Thou surpassest, happier far,
Happiest Grasshoppers that are;
Theirs is but a Summer song,
Thine endures the Winter long,
Unimpair'd, and shrill and clear,
Melody throughout the year.
Neither night nor dawn of day
Puts a period to thy lay.
Then Insect! let thy simple song
Chear the Winter evening long,
While seeure from every storm,
In my cottage snug and warm,
Thou shalt my merry minstrel be,
And I delight to shelter thee.
Puts a period to thy lay.
Then Insect! let thy simple song
Chear the Winter evening long,
While seeure from every storm,
In my cottage snug and warm,
Thou shalt my merry minstrel be,
And I delight to shelter thee.
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THE CLOSE OF SUMMER.
Farewell ye banks, where late the primrose growing,
Among fresh leaves its pallid stars display'd,
And the ground-ivy's balmy flowers blowing,
Trail'd their festoons along the grassy shade.
Among fresh leaves its pallid stars display'd,
And the ground-ivy's balmy flowers blowing,
Trail'd their festoons along the grassy shade.
Farewell! to richer scenes and Summer pleasures,
Hedge-rows, engarlanded with many a wreath,
Where the wild roses hang their blushing treasures,
And to the evening gale the woodbines breathe.
Hedge-rows, engarlanded with many a wreath,
Where the wild roses hang their blushing treasures,
And to the evening gale the woodbines breathe.
Farewell! the meadows, where such various showers
Of beauty lurked, among the fragrant hay;
Where orchis bloomed with freak'd and spotted flowers,
And lychnis blushing like the new born day.
Of beauty lurked, among the fragrant hay;
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And lychnis blushing like the new born day.
The burning dog-star, and the insatiate mower,
Have swept or wither'd all this floral pride;
And mullein's now, or bugloss' lingering flower,
Scarce cheer the green lane's parched and dusty side.
Have swept or wither'd all this floral pride;
And mullein's now, or bugloss' lingering flower,
Scarce cheer the green lane's parched and dusty side.
His busy sickle now the months-man wielding,
Close are the light and fragile poppies shorn,
And while the golden ears their stores are yielding,
The azure corn-flowers fall among the corn.
Close are the light and fragile poppies shorn,
And while the golden ears their stores are yielding,
The azure corn-flowers fall among the corn.
The woods are silent too, where loudly flinging
Wild notes of rapture to the western gale,
A thousand birds their hymns of joy were singing,
And bade the enchanting hours of Spring time hail!
Wild notes of rapture to the western gale,
A thousand birds their hymns of joy were singing,
And bade the enchanting hours of Spring time hail!
The stock-dove now is heard, in plaintive measure,
The cricket shrill, and wether's drowsy bell,
But to the sounds and scents of vernal pleasure,
Music and dewy airs, a long farewell!
The cricket shrill, and wether's drowsy bell,
But to the sounds and scents of vernal pleasure,
Music and dewy airs, a long farewell!
Yet tho' no beauteous wreaths adorn the season,
Nor birds sing blythe, nor sweets the winds diffuse,
This riper period, like the age of reason,
Tho' stript of loveliness, is rich in use.
Nor birds sing blythe, nor sweets the winds diffuse,
This riper period, like the age of reason,
Tho' stript of loveliness, is rich in use.
END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
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