 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
162
The RUSSETING and RED-STREAK CRAB.
A Fable.
“Betsy, (cries fond Mamma) come here,
“And taste this Russeting, my dear:—
“'Tis most delicious, juicy, sweet;
“Indulge, and thank me for my treat.”—
Betsy a red-streak Crab espying
Near Russeting on table lying,
With nose turn'd up, the little elf
Exclaims—“I'll cater for my self
“Mamma—This Red-streak shall be mine,
“It looks so tempting, gay, and fine;
“The Russet give to Sister Nancy,
“Such fruit may suit her vulgar fancy;
“'Tis ugly—plain—and I detest
“Or man or apple meanly drest.”—
In vain Mamma wou'd Betsy govern,
Betsy's too selfish, proud, and stubborn;
And tho' she hears Mamma alledge
Red-streak wou'd set her teeth on edge;
Ev'n tho' Mamma lays strict command
That she wou'd stop her eager hand,
Yet still our little Eve, with eyes
All-longing, views the beau-skinn'd prize,
Snatches her Crab—elopes away—
O'er-joy'd to get her wish'd-for prey.
“And taste this Russeting, my dear:—
“'Tis most delicious, juicy, sweet;
“Indulge, and thank me for my treat.”—
Betsy a red-streak Crab espying
Near Russeting on table lying,
With nose turn'd up, the little elf
Exclaims—“I'll cater for my self
“Mamma—This Red-streak shall be mine,
“It looks so tempting, gay, and fine;
“The Russet give to Sister Nancy,
“Such fruit may suit her vulgar fancy;
“'Tis ugly—plain—and I detest
“Or man or apple meanly drest.”—
In vain Mamma wou'd Betsy govern,
Betsy's too selfish, proud, and stubborn;
And tho' she hears Mamma alledge
Red-streak wou'd set her teeth on edge;
Ev'n tho' Mamma lays strict command
That she wou'd stop her eager hand,
Yet still our little Eve, with eyes
All-longing, views the beau-skinn'd prize,
Snatches her Crab—elopes away—
O'er-joy'd to get her wish'd-for prey.
Most Females this opinion hold,
Be they or young or be they old,
E'er since an Apple first was eat,
That fruit forbidden is most sweet.
Be they or young or be they old,
163
That fruit forbidden is most sweet.
The Red-streak seiz'd, poor Betsy finds
There's no dependence upon Rhinds:—
'Tis crabbed—hard—and what of late
She long'd for, now provokes her hate:—
Her looks a mind chagrin'd display,
She throws the treach'rous fruit away,
And, sighing, wishes with a tear,
To kind Mamma she'ad lent an ear.
There's no dependence upon Rhinds:—
'Tis crabbed—hard—and what of late
She long'd for, now provokes her hate:—
Her looks a mind chagrin'd display,
She throws the treach'rous fruit away,
And, sighing, wishes with a tear,
To kind Mamma she'ad lent an ear.
Her Sister, who as Misses shou'd,
Honor'd her Parents and was good,
The Russet takes with thankful glee,
And, smiling, feasts deliciously:—
“Thank ye, Mamma, she cries, I see
“You best can tell what's fit for me.”
Honor'd her Parents and was good,
The Russet takes with thankful glee,
And, smiling, feasts deliciously:—
“Thank ye, Mamma, she cries, I see
“You best can tell what's fit for me.”
My pretty Misses, pray be wise,
And trust not wholly to your eyes;
Nor Parents' tenderness abuse,
They best know how your Fruit to chuse:—
At least this compliment is due
From You to Them—from Them to You;
Parents shou'd ne'er with tyrant will,
Force down your throat the Bitter Pill;
Nor You—ungratefully deceive,
And snatch the Fruit without their leave.
And trust not wholly to your eyes;
Nor Parents' tenderness abuse,
They best know how your Fruit to chuse:—
At least this compliment is due
From You to Them—from Them to You;
Parents shou'd ne'er with tyrant will,
Force down your throat the Bitter Pill;
Nor You—ungratefully deceive,
And snatch the Fruit without their leave.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |