AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL.

B

OF HIMSELF.

WILLIAM was once a bashful youth;
His modesty was such,

That one might say (to say the truth),
He rather had too much.

Some said that it was want of sense,
And others, want of spirit
(So blest a thing is impudence),
While others could not bear it.

But some a different notion had,
And at each other winking,
Observed that though he little said,
He paid it off with thinking.

Howe'er, it happened, by degrees,
He mended and grew perter;

In company was more at ease,
And dressed a little smarter;

Nay, now and then would look quite gay, As other people do ;

And sometimes said, or tried to say,

A witty thing or so.

He eyed the women, and made free
To comment on their shapes;
So that there was, or seemed to be
No fear of a relapse.

The women said, who thought him rough, But now no longer foolish, "The creature may do well enough, But wants a deal of polish."

At length, improved from head to heel,
'Twere scarce too much to say,
No dancing bear was so genteel,
Or half so dégagé.

Now that a miracle so strange

May not in vain be shown

Let the dear maid who wrought the change

E'en claim him for her own.

TO DELIA.

WHY HE ASKED FOR A LOCK OF HER HAIR.

DELIA, the unkindest girl on earth,

When I besought the fair,

That favour of intrinsic worth,

A ringlet of her hair,

Refused that instant to comply
With my absurd request,
For reasons she could specify,
Some twenty score at least.

Trust me, my dear, however odd
It may appear to say,

I sought it merely to defraud
Thy spoiler of his prey.

Yes! when its sister locks shall fade,
As quickly fade they must,
When all their beauties are decayed,
Their gloss, their colour, lost-

Ah then! if haply to my share
Some slender pittance fall,
If I but gain one single hair,
Nor age usurp them all ;—

When you behold it still as sleek,
As lovely to the view,

As when it left thy snowy neck,—
That Eden where it grew,-

Then shall my Delia's self declare
That I professed the truth,

And have preserved my little share
In everlasting youth.