The poems and literary prose of Alexander Wilson ... for the first time fully collected and compared with the original and early editions ... edited ... by the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart ... with portrait, illustrations, &c |
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VERSES, ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE SPANIEL, MALICIOUSLY POISONED. |
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 | The poems and literary prose of Alexander Wilson |  |
VERSES, ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE SPANIEL, MALICIOUSLY POISONED.
How soon are blessings snatch'd away!
Our friends around us smile to-day,
But oft ere morning's early ray,
Salute the shore;
We see them stretch'd, pale, lifeless clay,
To please no more!
Our friends around us smile to-day,
But oft ere morning's early ray,
Salute the shore;
We see them stretch'd, pale, lifeless clay,
To please no more!
Poor Cupid!—fondest friend I knew;
To me, how kind! how matchless true!
Whose frolics oft my laughter drew,
Tho' grief deprest;—
By Death's envenomed steel pierc'd through,
Has breath'd his last.
To me, how kind! how matchless true!
Whose frolics oft my laughter drew,
Tho' grief deprest;—
By Death's envenomed steel pierc'd through,
Has breath'd his last.
But had the traitor, void of art,
Produc'd the death-denouncing dart,
And calmly aim'd it at his heart,
Still panting warm;
One piteous look had staid the smart,
And fix'd his arm.
Produc'd the death-denouncing dart,
And calmly aim'd it at his heart,
Still panting warm;
One piteous look had staid the smart,
And fix'd his arm.
Yet think not since his debt is paid,
I mourn the dear departed shade:
No—'neath yon apple tree he's laid,
To rise again;
Nor shall the youth or infant maid,
Escape his pain.
I mourn the dear departed shade:
No—'neath yon apple tree he's laid,
To rise again;
Nor shall the youth or infant maid,
Escape his pain.
278
Each year when Spring her reign resumes,
Then Cupid from his bed of glooms,
Shall spread the scarlet-tinctur'd blooms,
In glorious view;
While bees amid the rich perfumes,
Rove murm'ring through.
Then Cupid from his bed of glooms,
Shall spread the scarlet-tinctur'd blooms,
In glorious view;
While bees amid the rich perfumes,
Rove murm'ring through.
When Autumn comes, serene and slow,
And ruddy berries clustering glow;
When with ripe fruit the loaden'd bough,
Bends to the swaird;
Then Cupid swells the lov'liest show,
In Johnny's yard.
And ruddy berries clustering glow;
When with ripe fruit the loaden'd bough,
Bends to the swaird;
Then Cupid swells the lov'liest show,
In Johnny's yard.
And though in apples now he rise,
Yet swift and keen his arrow flies;
For soon as e'er your ravish'd eyes
Gaze on his growth,
The blushing cheek and wond'rous size,
Wou'd bless your mouth.
Yet swift and keen his arrow flies;
For soon as e'er your ravish'd eyes
Gaze on his growth,
The blushing cheek and wond'rous size,
Wou'd bless your mouth.
| The poems and literary prose of Alexander Wilson | |