His ready fimile a parent's warmth expreft, Their welfare pleas'd him, and their cares diftreft;

To them his heart, his love, his griefs were

given,

But all his ferious thoughts had reft in

heaven.

As fome tall cliff that lifts its awful form, Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the ftorm.

Though round its breast the rolling clouds

are spread,

Eternal funfhine fettles on its head.

GOLDSMITH.

The Hare and many Friends. FRIENDSHIP, like love, is but a name,

Unless to one you ftint the flame.

The child, who many fathers fhare,
Hath feldom known a father's care.
'Tis thus in friendship; who depend
On many, rarely find a friend.

A Hare,

A Hare, who in a civil way
Comply'd with ev'ry thing, like Gay,
Was known by all the beftial train
Who haunt the wood, or graze the plain.

Her care was, never to offend,

And ev'ry creature was her friend.

As forth fhe went at early dawn, To tafte the dew-befprinkled lawn, Behind the hears the hunter's cries, And from the deep-mouth'd thunder flies; She starts, the ftops, fhe pants for breath; She hears the near advance of death; She doubles to mislead the hound, And measures back her mazy round 'Till, fainting in the public way, Half-dead with fear, fhe gafping lay.

;

What tranfport in her bofom grew, When firft the Horfe appear'd in view!

Let me, fays fhe, your back afcend,
And owe my fafety to a friend.
You know my feet betray my flight;
To friendship ev'ry burthen's light.

VOL. I.

G

The

The Horfe reply'd; poor honest Pufs,
It grieves my heart to fee thee thus.
Be comforted, relief is near;

For all your friends are in the rear.

She next the ftately Bull implor'd;
And thus repty'd the mighty lord :
Since ev'ry beast alive can tell
That I fincerely wish you well,
I may, without offence, pretend
To take the freedom of friend.

Love calls me hence; a fav'rite cow
Expects me near yon barley-mow;

And when a lady's in the cafe,

You know all other things give place.
To leave you thus might feem unkind ;
But fee, the Goat is just behind.

The Goat remark'd her pulfe was high, Her languid head, her heavy eye; My back, fays he, may do you harm; The Sheep's at hand, and wool is warm.

The Sheep was feeble, and complain'd His fides a load of wool fuftain'd:

Said

Said he was flow, confefs'd his fears;
For hounds eat Sheep, as well as Hares.

She now the trotting Calf addrefs'd, To fave from death a friend diftrefs'd.

Shall I, fays he, of tender age,
In this important care engage?
Older and abler pafs'd you by;

-How ftrong are thofe! how weak am I !
Should I prefume to bear you hence,
Those friends of mine may take offence.
Excufe me, then. You know my heart,
But dearest friends, alas ? must part.
How fhall we all lament ! Adieu,
For fee the Hounds are juft in view,

Thus wond'rous fair; thyfelf how wond rous then!

Unfpeakable, who fitt'ft above thefe Hea

vens

To us invifible, or dimly feen

In thefe thy loweft works; yet thefe declare Thy goodness beyond thought, and pow'r divine

Speak ye who beft can tell, ye fons of light,
Angels; for
ye behold him, and with fongs
And choral fymphonies, day without night,
Circle his throne rejoicing; ye in Heaven,
On Earth, join all ye creatures to extol
Him firft, him laft, him midft, and without

end.

Faireft of ftars, laft in the train of night,
If better thou belong not to the dawn,
Sure pledge of day, that crown'ft the fmil-
ing morn

With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere,

While day arifes, that sweet hour of primc. Thou Sun, of this great world both eye and

foul,

Acknowledge