Pleasure I courted, and obey'd my taste: The banquet smil'd, and smil'd the gay repast. A loathsome carcase was my constant care, And worlds were ransack'd but for me to share. Go on, vain Man! to luxury be firm; Yet know-I feasted but to feast a worm. Already sure less terrible I seem, And you, like me, shall own--that life's a dream. BALLAD. WHEN Time, who steals our years away, Shall steal our pleasures too, The mem❜ry of the past will stay, And half our joys renew. Then, Chloe, when thy beauty's flower Remembrance will recal the hour When thou alone wert fair. Ibid. Then talk no more of future gloom, For hope shall brighten days to come, Come, Chloe, fill the genial bowl, And as thy lips the tear-drops chase, Then fill the bowl, away with gloom! For hope shall brighten days to come, But mark, at thought of future years, My Chloe drops her timid tears, How like this bowl of wine, my fair, Though tears may sometimes mingle there, The draught will still be sweet! Then fill the bowl, away with gloom! For hope will brighten days to come, THE RIVAL SISTERS. ALIKE two sparkling eyes you boast, The difference is, with endless wiles To win our unsuspecting hearts, Alike in both love's fatal darts In ev'ry look are found: The difference is, on conquest bent, Of melting heart is each possess'd, With youthful ardour strong: The difference is, the flame of one The other's mild and long! Alike to charm by nature form'd, The difference is, the one's design'd Alike with interlectual force Each can enliven her discourse, The difference is, with sprightly wit Alike to boundless pow'r you reach ; In captive suit are bent!— The difference is, one seeks them ALL; Alike you bloom in beauty's prime; And both our praise acquire :— The other NEVER TIRE! Poetical Register. TO MEMORY. O, MEMORY! celestial maid! Who glean'st thy flow'rets cropt by time; And suffering not a leaf to fade, Preserv'st the blossoms of our prime ; Bring, bring those moments to my mind When life was new, and Lesbia kind. And bring that garland to my sight, And sketch with care the muses bow'r, Nor yet omit one reed or flow'r That shines on Cherwell's verdant side; If so thou may'st those hours prolong, When polish'd Lycon join'd my song. The song it 'vails not to recite, But sure to sooth our youthful dreams, Those banks and streams appear'd more bright Than other banks, than other streams; Or, by thy soft'ning pencil shewn, Assume the beauties not their own. |