I am by nature soft as silk,
By nature too as white as milk;
I am a constant friend to man,
I can.
And serve him every way
When dipp'd in wax, or plunged in oil,
I make his winter ev'nings smile:
By India taught, I spread his bed,
Or deck his fav'rite Celia's head;
Her gayest garbs I oft compose,
And, ah! sometimes-I wipe her nose.
WHAT is the power of the rational soul, which covets or avoids such things as have been before judged and apprehended by the understanding?
I am rough, I am smooth,
I am wet, I am dry;
My station is low,
But my title is High ;
The King my lawful master is,-
I'm used by all, though only his.
My head and tail both equal are,
My middle slender as a bee;
Whether I stand on head or heel,
'Tis all the same to you or me.
But if my head should be cut off,
The matter's true, although 'tis strange,
My head and body sever'd thus,
Immediately to nothing change.
WHAT word is that, which, though consisting of four syllables, is properly spelt in two letters only; and, though openly seen, is still invisible?
WE are a couple, sharp and bright,
And yet, when far asunder,
We never aided mortal wight,
Which may excite your wonder.
And yet we must divided be,
Το prove of any use;
And then you every day may see
The wonders we produce.
The most uncouth and shapeless mass
To form full well we know ;
We ornament the sprightly lass,
We decorate the beau.
Ladies, you must to us apply,
For every robe you wear;
'Tis we the cut and shape supply,
And make it debonair.
That pretty trifle too we fill,
Yclep'd a chiffonière :
And now, if you have any skill,
Our name you may declare.
WITH monks and with hermits, I chiefly reside,
From courts and from camps at a distance;
The ladies, who ne'er could my presence abide,
To banish me join their assistance.
Though seldom I flatter, I oft shew respect
To the prelate, the patriot, and peer;
But sometimes, alas! a sad proof of neglect,
Or a mark of contempt, I appear.
By the couch of the sick, I am frequently found,
And I always attend on the dead;
With patient affliction, I sit on the ground,
But if talk'd of, I'm instantly fled.
SAY, what is that which in its form unites
All that is graceful, elegant, and true;
By all admired, by all acknowledged great,
And (as I trust) sincerely loved by you.
Which ever on the virtuous attends,
And of their peace will surest safeguard prove; The best support of noble, upright minds,
The best foundation of connubial love.
THOUGH I, alas! a pris'ner be,
My trade is, pris'ners to set free.
No slave his lord's commands obeys
With such insinuating ways:
My genius piercing, sharp, and bright,
Wherein most men of wit delight;
A new and wond'rous art I show
Of raising spirits from below:
In scarlet some, and some in white,
They rise, walk round, yet never fright:
In at each mouth the spirits pass,
Distinctly seen, as through a glass,
O'er head and body make a rout,
And drive at last all secrets out;
And still, the more I shew my art,
The more they open every heart.
I twice a day a hunting go,
Yet never fail to seize my
And, when I have him by the poll,
I drag him upwards from his hole,
Though some are of so stubborn kind,
I'm forced to leave a limb behind.
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