Their sentiments so well expressed

Influenced mightily the rest,

All paired, and each pair built a nest.

But though the birds were thus in haste,
The leaves came on not quite so fast,
And destiny, that sometimes bears

An aspect stern on man's affairs,

Not altogether smiled on theirs.

The wind, of late breathed gently forth,
Now shifted east and east by north;

Bare trees and shrubs but ill, you know,

Could shelter them from rain or snow,

Stepping into their nests, they paddled, Themselves were chilled, their eggs were addled;

Soon every father bird and mother

Grew quarrelsome, and pecked each other,

Parted without the least regret,

Except that they had ever met,

And learned in future to be wiser,

Than to neglect a good adviser.

INSTRUCTION.

Misses! the tale that I relate

This lesson seems to carry

Choose not alone a proper mate,
But proper time to marry.

THE DOG AND THE WATER-LILY.

NO FABLE.

THE noon was shady, and soft airs

Swept Ouse's silent tide,

When, 'scaped from literary cares,

I wandered on his side.

My spaniel, prettiest of his race,

And high in pedigree,

d

(Two nymphs adorned with every grace

That spaniel found for me)

Sir Robert Gunning's daughters.

Now wantoned lost in flags and reeds,

Now starting into sight

Pursued the swallow o'er the meads

With scarce a slower flight.

It was the time when Ouse displayed

His lilies newly blown;

Their beauties I intent surveyed,

And one I wished my own.

With cane extended far I sought

To steer it close to land;

But still the prize, though nearly caught,

Escaped my eager hand,

Beau marked my unsuccessful pains

With fixt considerate face,

And puzzling sat his

puppy brains

To comprehend the case.

But with a chirrup clear and strong,

Dispersing all his dream,

I thence withdrew, and followed long

The windings of the stream.

My ramble finished, I returned.

Beau trotting far before

The floating wreath again discerned,
And plunging left the shore.

I saw him with that lily cropped

Impatient swim to meet

My quick approach, and soon he dropped

The treasure at my feet.

Charmed with the sight, the world, I cried,

Shall hear of this thy deed:

My dog shall mortify the pride

Of man's superior breed:

But chief myself I will enjoin,

Awake at duty's call,

To shew a love as prompt as thine
To him who gives me all.

THE POET, THE OYSTER,

AND

SENSITIVE PLANT.

AN Oyster, cast upon the shore,
Was heard, though never heard before,
Complaining in a speech well worded,
And worthy thus to be recorded-

Ah, hapless wretch! condemned to dwell For ever in my native shell;

Ordained to move when others please,

Not for my own content or ease;