No more the caviler could say, The wounded part with tears ran o'er, Fool! had that bough a pumpkin bore, 7. THE ASS AND THE NIGHTINGALE.-Krilov. An ass, a nightingale espied, And shouted out, "Hollo! hollo! good friend! Now let me hear thee, that I may decide; Through all the regions of sweet music ranging, Varying her song a thousand different ways; Rising and falling, lingering, ever changing: Full of wild rapture now-then sinking oft To almost silence-melancholy, soft, As distant shepherd's pipe at evening's close: Strewing the wood with lovelier music;-there All nature seems to listen and repose: No zephyr dares disturb the tranquil air :- And the charmed flocks lie down beside the rill. His breathing may disturb the melody, His finger pointing to the melodious tree, Seems to say, "Listen!" to his favorite maid. The singer ended:—and our critic bowed His reverend head to earth, and said aloud :— "Now that's so so;-thou really hast some merit; Curtail thy song, and critics then might hear it. Thy voice wants sharpness :-but if chanticleer Would give thee a few lessons, doubtless he Might raise thy voice and modulate thy ear; And thou, in spite of all thy faults, mayest be A very decent singer." The poor bird And winged her peaceful flight into the air, 8. THE YOUNG FLY AND THE OLD SPIDER. -Wolcot. Fresh was the breath of morn-the busy breeze, And swept the dew-clad blooms with wings so light: Phœbus got up, and made a blazing fire, That gilded every country-house and spire, And smiling, put on his best looks so bright. On this fair morn, a spider who had set, With cautious art, upon a spangled thorn; "Good morrow, dear Miss Fly," quoth gallant Grim— "Good morrow, sir," replied Miss Fly to him"Walk in, Miss, pray, and see what I'm about:" "I'm much obliged t'ye, sir," Miss Fly rejoined, "My eyes are both so very good, I find, That I can plainly see the whole without." decline "Fine weather, Miss”—“Yes, very fine," Quoth cautious Miss, you "I fear you'd like my pretty head so well, You'd keep it for yourself, sir,-who can tell?” "Then let me squeeze your lovely hand, my dear, And prove that all your dread is foolish, vain” "I've a sore finger, sir, nay more, I fear You really would not let it go again." Poh, poh, child, pray dismiss your idle dread: I would not hurt a hair of that sweet head Well, then, with one sweet kiss of friendship meet me "La, sir," quoth miss, with seeming artless tongue, "I fear our salutation would be long: So loving, too, I fear that you would eat me." So saying, with a smile she left the rogue, 9. SPECTACLES, OR HELPS TO READ. A certain artist, I've forgot his name, -Byrom. Or "helps to read"-as, when they first were sold, Yes, sir," said he, "I can in that affair And book produced, to see how they would fit: These in my hand will better suit your eye" "No, but they don't"—" Well, come, sir, if you please Here is another sort, we'll e'en try these ; Still somewhat more they magnify the letter; Now, sir ?"—"Why now-I'm not a bit the better”- So odd a case, thought, sure the man is blind: 66 Why, very good ones, friend, as you may see:" "Yes, I perceive the clearness of the ballPray, let me ask you-can you read at all?" "No, you great blockhead; if I could, what need 10. THE SCHOOLBOY'S COMPLAINT.-Anonymous. I love my master, and my school full well, When, if by chance, my hands do get a stain, If slate-string lose, or pencil chance to drop, Oh! direful cane! I wish the burning sun Had parched the ground, and it had brought forth none; mind: Oh! friends believe me, hear me speak my Oh! what a sufferer, when shall I be freed?— I'll go to him, for he's a man of peace, And in his school the war of cane shall cease ;— Oh! wretched me! how oft I've wished in vain, 11. THE THREE BLACK CROWS.-Byrom. Two honest tradesmen meeting in the Strand, I had it from good hands, and so may you." But, by the by, 'twas two black crows, not three." Whip to the third, the virtuoso went. "Sir," and so forth-" Why, yes; the thing is fact, Though in regard to number not exact; It was not two black crows, 'twas only one; The gentleman himself told me the case." "Where may I find him ?" "Why, in such a place." Away he goes, and having found him out, "Sir, be so good as to resolve a doubt." Then to his last informant he referred, And begged to know if true what he had heard. "Did you, sir, throw up a black crow?" "Not I!" "Bless me! how people propagate a lie! Black crows have been thrown up, three, two, and one, And here I find at last all comes to none 1 |