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Both the eye to delight, and the table to crown,

With a jack, or a perch, when my uncles come down.

while,

An exceeding great wood, that's been set a great
[mile.
In length near a league, and in breadth near a
There every dear girl her bright genius displays,
In a thousand fine whimsies, a thousand fine ways.
O how charming the walks to my fancy appear!
What a number of temples and grottos are here!
My soul was transported to such an extreme,
That I leap'd up in raptures,-when lo! 'twas a
Then vexing I chid the impertinent day [dream.
For driving so sweet a delusion away.

Thus spectres arise, as by nurse-maids we're told,
And hie to the place where they buried their gold :
There hov'ring around until morning remain,
Then sadly return to their torments again.

THE BLACKBIRDS.

By the Rev. RICHARD JAGO, M.A.

THE sun had chas'd the mountain snow,
And kindly loos'd the frozen soil,

The melting streams began to flow,
And ploughmen urg'd their annual toil.

"T was then, amid the vocal throng, Whom nature wakes to mirth and love, A BLACKBIRD rais'd his am'rous song, And thus it echo'd through the grove.

"O fairest of the feather'd train! For whom I sing, for whom I burn,

Attend with pity to my strain,

And grant my love a kind return.

I

"For, see, the wintry storms are flown,

And gently Zephyrs fan the air;

Let us the genial influence own,

Let us the vernal pastime share.

"The raven plumes his jetty wing
To please his croaking paramour;

The larks responsive ditties sing,
And tell their passion as they soar.

"But trust me, love, the raven's wing Is not to be compar'd with mine;

Nor can the lark so sweetly sing

As I, who strength with sweetness join.

"O! let me all thy steps attend!

I'll point new treasures to thy sight; Whether the grove thy wish befriend,

Or hedge-rows green, or meadows bright.

"I'll show my love the clearest rill

Whose streams among the pebbles stray; These will we sip, and sip our fill,

Or on the flow'ry margin play.

"I'll lead her to the thickest brake,
Impervious to the school-boy's eye;
For her the plaster'd nest I'll make,
And on her downy pinions lie.

"When, prompted by a mother's care,

Her warmth shall form th' imprison'd young;

The pleasing task I'll gladly share,

Or cheer her labours with my song.

"To bring her food I'll range the fields,

And cull the best of every

kind :

Whatever nature's bounty yields,

And love's assiduous care can find.

"And when my lovely mate would stray

To taste the summer sweets at large, I'll wait at home the live-long day,

And tend with care our little charge.

"Then prove

with me the sweets of love,

With me divide the cares of life; No bush shall boast in all the grove So fond a mate, so blest a wife."

He ceas'd his song. The melting dame With soft indulgence heard the strain; She felt, she own'd a mutual flame,

And hasted to relieve his pain.

He led her to the nuptial bower,
And nestled closely to her side;
The fondest bridegroom of that hour,

And she, the most delighted bride.

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