When light'nings flash among the trees, 'Or kites are hovering near, I fear lest thee alone they seize, "Tis then I feel myself a wife, But, oh! if fickle and unchaste, (Forgive a transient thought) Thou could become unkind at last, And scorn thy present lot; 'No need of light'ning from on high, "Or kites with cruel beak; 'Denied th' endearments of thine eye, 'This widow'd heart would break.' Thus sang the sweet sequester'd bird, FABLE L. THE NIGHTINGALE AND GLOW-WORM. By Cowper. A NIGHTINGALE, that all day long Had cheer'd the village with his song, Nor yet at eve' his note suspended, Nor yet when eventide was ended, Began to feel, as well he might, The keen demands of appetite; When looking eagerly around, He spied far off, upon the ground, A something shining in the dark, And knew the Glow-Worm by his spark; So, stooping down from hawthorn top, He thought to put him in his crop. The worm, aware of his intent, Harangu'd him thus, right eloquent'Did you admire my lamp', quoth he, 'As much as I your minstrelsy, "You would abhor to do me wrong, 'As much as I to spoil your song; 'For 'twas the self-same Power divine Taught you to sing, and me to shine; Might beautify and cheer the night.' The songster heard his short oration, That brother should not war with brother, Those Christians best deserve the name, FABLE LI. THE PINE-APPLE AND THE BEE. By Cowper. THE Pine-Apples, in triple row, On eager wing the spoiler came, 'And disappointment all the fruit, While Cynthio ogles, as he passes, The nymph between two chariot glasses, 'She is the Pine-Apple, and he 'The silly unsuccessful Bee. 'The maid, who views with pensive air 'The show-glass fraught with glittering ware, 'Sees watches, bracelets, rings, and lockets, 'But sighs at thought of empty pockets; Like thine, her appetite is keen, But, ah, the cruel glass between! 'Our dear delights are often such, 'Expos'd to view, but not to touch; 'The sight our foolish heart inflames, 'We long for Pine-Apples in frames; With hopeless wish one looks and lingers; 'One breaks the glass, and cuts his fingers; 'But they whom Truth and Wisdom lead, FABLE LII. THE SHEEP AND THE FOX-HUNT, OR THE NEEDLESS ALARM. By Cowper. THERE is a field, thro' which I often pass, |