[Robert HerriCK, a clergyman of the Church of England, who lived during the reign of Charles I. and the Cromwellian period, wrote many graceful poems. In some of his productions, however, the purity of thought that betrays the true poet, is lamentably wanting. Herrick was deprived of his living under Cromwell's rule, but regained it at the Restoration.] Morning Occupations. WISH'D morning 's come; and now upon the plains, And distant mountains, where they feed their flocks, The happy shepherds leave their homely huts, And with their pipes proclaim the new-born day. The lusty swain comes with his well-filled scrip Of healthful viands, which, when hunger calls, With much content and appe tite he eats, To follow in the field his daily toil, And dress the grateful glebe that yields him fruits. The beasts that under the warm hedges slept, And weather'd out the cold, bleak night, are up; THOMAS OTWAY. [THOMAS OTWAY, an unfortunate poet, ranks high as a dramatic writer. He particularly excelled in pathetic delineation. He fell into deep poverty, and died at the age of thirty-four, in so wretched a state of destitution, that it was popularly asserted he had been choked by a piece of bread, devoured n the rage of hunger.] Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog. OOD people all, of every sort, Give ear unto my song, And, if you find it wondrous short, In Islington there was a man, A kind and gentle heart he had, And in that town a dog was found, Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, And curs of low degree. This dog and man, at first, were friends; But, when a pique began, The dog, to gain some private ends, Around from all the neighbouring streets The wondering neighbours ran, And swore the dog had lost his wits To bite so good a man. The wound it seem'd both sore and sad, To every Christian eye; And, while they swore the dog was mad, They swore the man would die. 150 EVE TO ADAM. But soon a wonder came to light, The dog it was that died. GOLDSMITH. Eve to Adam. ITH thee conversing I forget all time; alike; Sweet is the breath of Morn, her rising sweet, With charm of earliest Birds; pleasant the Sun When first on this delightful land he spreads His orient beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flower, Glistering with dew; fragrant the fertile earth MILTON. |