ΤΟ

JOHN JOHNSON,

ON

His presenting me with an antique bust of Homer

[May, 1793.]

KINSMAN belov'd and as a son, by me!
When I behold this fruit of thy regard,
The sculptur'd form of my old fav'rite bard,
I rev'rence feel for him, and love for thee,
Joy too and grief. Much joy that there should be
Wise men and learn'd, who grudge not to reward
With some applause my bold attempt and hard,
Which others scorn: Criticks by courtesy.
The grief is this, that sunk in Homer's mine
I loose my precious years now soon to fail,
Handling his gold, which, howsoe'er it shine,

Proves dross, when balanc'd in the Christian scalo,
Be wiser thou-like our forefather DONNE,
Seek heav'nly wealth, and work for God alone.

ΤΟ

A YOUNG FRIEND,

ON

His arriving at Cambridge wet, when ne ram had fallen there.

[May, 1793.]

Ir Gideon's fleece, which drench'd with dew he

found,

While moisture none refresh'd the herbs around,
Might fitly represent the Church endow'd
With heav'nly gifts, to heathens not allow'd;
In pledge, perhaps, of favours from on high,
Thy locks were wet when other's locks were dry.
Heav'n grant us half the omen-may we see
Not drought on others, but much dew on thee

A TALE.

[June, 1793.]

IN Scotland's realm where trees are few,
Nor even shrubs abound;

But where, however bleak the view,

Some better things are found.

For husband there and wife may boast

Their union undefil'd.

And false ones are as rare almost
As hedge-rows in the wild.

In Scotland's realm, forlorn and bare,
The hist'ry chanc'd of late-

This hist'ry of a wedded pair,
A chaffinch and his mate.

The spring drew near, each felt a breast With genial instinct fill'd;

They pair'd and would have built a nest, But found not where to build.

The heath uncover'd, and the moors,
Except with snow and sleet,
Sea-beaten rocks, and naked shores
Could yield them no retreat.

Long time a breeding-place they sought,
Till both grew vex'd and tir'd;
At length a ship arriving, brought
The good so long desir'd.

A ship! could such a restless thing
Afford them place of rest?

Or was the merchant charg'd to bring
The homeless birds a nest?

Hush-silent hearers profit most→→→
This racer of the sea

Prov'd kinder to them than the coast,
It serv'd them with a Tree.

But such a tree!. 'twas shaven deal,
The tree they call a Mast,

And had a hollow with a wheel

Through which the tackle pass'd

Within that cavity aloft,

Their roofless home they fix'd, Form'd with materials neat and soft, Bents, wool, and feathers mix'd.

Four iv'ry eggs soon pave its floor;
With russet specks bedight-
The vessel weighs, forsakes the shore
And lessens to the sight.

The mother-bird is gone to sea
As she had chang'd her kind;
But goes the male? Far wiser, he
Is doubtless left behind?

No-soon as from ashore he saw
The winged mansion move,
He flew to reach it, by & law
Of never-failing love.

Then perching at his consort's side,
Was briskly borne along,
The billows and the blast defied,
And cheer'd her with a song.

The seaman with sincere delight,
His feather'd shipmates eyes,

Scarce lest exulting in the sight
Than when he tows a prize.

For seamen much believe in signs,
And from a chance so new,
Each some approaching good divines,
And may his hopes be true!

Hail honour'd land! a desert where
Not even birds can hide,

Yet parent of this loving pair

Whom nothing could divide.

And ye who, rather than resign

Your matrimonial plan,

Were not afraid to plough the brine
In company with Man.

For whose lean country much disdain
We English often show,
Yet from a richer nothing gain
But wantonness and wo.

Be it your fortune, year by year,
The same resource to prove,
And may ye, sometimes landing here,
Instruct us how to love!

This Tale is founded on an article of intelligence which the Author found in the Buckinghamshire Herald, for Saturday, June 1, 1793, in the following words.

GLASGOW, May 23.

In a block, or pulley, near the head of the mast of a gabert, new lying at the Broomielaw, there is a chaffinch's nest and four eggs. The nest was built while the vessel lay at Greenock, and was followed hither by both birds. Though the block is occasionally lowered for the inspection of the curious, the birds have not forsaken the nest. The cock, however, visits the nest but seldom, while the hen never leaves it but when she descends to the hull for food.