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TO WHICH 18 AOOID A SELSCTIOH OF COMf LIMBNTARY VERSES, A(»»AI8IB0 TO HIS SERENE* LITTL£I9£SS: Adorned mik a sinking Likeimu BY 4N Oi^D FAJUPm* **m^ J Sf / ^a !• '*4 isoi ^ • ('*» .:r ^'v* Shortly w^lijuc puj^li^jie^i Jn ^ correspond- in|| Mile ay^ jjpaii|ief* the ^*tmral HkloTf of tbe Swallow^ •Ni^uTii^GALs, Lark, &c.^ with a Selection of Complimentary Verse s^ addresftcd to them, respectively, in separate ^liulc Books. %, • mm^ f kin ' tfk'A ■ti'»- '. ■ .1 " i..t ■<-• . . -^^,„,.f|i*^ , .J .Av '«* *'i--jS' It^ ■syjM! .^ ' ' ' " J"' ' 1. ' ' • TO'' ?' ^ ? %^ wv^ if!?*^iarJ5V5i ■ ,■ • 1.. .: «f » 4|). .All ^ / TO THOSE AMIABLE^ BOYS AND BEAUTIFUL GIRLS, WHO DELIGHT IN SHEWING TENDERNESS AND HUMANITY TO ETERY THING THAT HAS LIFE, AND PARTICULARLY TO THE FEATHERED RACE, THIS LITTLE BOOK IS MOST AFFECTIONAtELV INSCRIBED, BY AN OLD FRIEND* ^ I ^1 ^( NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ROBIN RCD-BREAST, &c. It was dark and dismal December; the ground was covered with snow^ the wind howled ambiig the leafless trees^ and winter reassumed all it^ terrors, when Eliza who had been taking a les- son from her father, having just finish- ed her little task, lifted up her eyes, and saw a poor RoJ>in walking along the flower stand under the parlour window, and sometimes beating with * A3 hi| 6 NATURAL HISTORY OP his bill against the panes, as if he wish- ed to be an inmate of such a comfojt- ^ble apartment. " Shall I open the window, papa, and let the pretty bird in ? Poor fel- low he must be cold and hungry, or he' would not be so tame." " Do, my dear,'* said her father, '' and strew some crumbs from that remaining roll about the table, that be'^^may not only be tempted to visit us now, but return again when he wants our protection or relief/* The amiable little girl haying speied- ' ily prepared for the reception of her guest, gently opened the window and retired, when the Robin looking round him, and thinking himself safe, at length ventured in, and began bop« ping about and picking up the crumbs that t s I THE BOBIN-RES-BREAST. . that had been spread for him. No sooner, however, were the wants of nature satisfied, than be withdrew, and began his s^weet and innocent song on an 'opposite shrub, as if anxious to make the only recompence in his paw- er for the kindness he had met with. ^ Eliza was charmed with his familiarit)^ she admired his form and his notes^ and declared how haf py she should be if hewouild visit her every day and {partake of her entertainment. *' He will have no bbjection to visit you, my love,** replied ^her father, ** if you shew kindness to him. You may then have him for an occasional guest du-* ring the winter, and when the spring and summer are again flown, perhaps he may be fortunate enough to escape Jrom the dangers to which in commoh' A 4 with 8 TUB NATURAL HISTORY OF vith his kind he is exposed^ and re-* turn to his old haunts once more to cheer you with his melody." " How glad I shall be to make the poor Robin my friend/' said Eliza, *> as long as he lives. I am sure I shall do nothing to frighten or to hurt him." Next day the Robin made his ap- pearance about the same time as be«. fore» and seemed to ask admission, which was readily granted. Little Al- fred was now in the room with hi% father and sister, and having been warned, he made no noise that could disturb the pretty visitor ; who staid as long as he thought proper, and again retired and renewed his song opposite to the parlour wipdows. In a short time he became,so fa- ntfiliar, that he was regarded as one of the tl tl fi K t< «< t< * ii THE P BIN-RED-BBEAST, 9 1 I I the family, and gained so much on the afifcctions both of Eliza and Air fred, that they could not bear the idea of parting from him, and wished tahave him kept in a cage. " No, my dears," said their father, •* that. J cannot allow. He has duties to pel form and enjoyments to taste - in a state of nature ; and we have no right to prevent the one, or to di- minish the other." , A' But will you then tell us all about Vim ?'* exclaimed they both, " as you have sometimes done about other ani- UPgklji which we have been longer ac- quainted with. Our lessons in natural hinpry are always most pleasant and bejrt remembered. Pray give us all the account you can of our favorite A 5 Robin; 10 THE NATUftAt niSTOBlT OP Robin I tvhose company it seems we can only enjoy for a season." " That I will with much pleasure,** jfejdined the father. "Only listen as I proceed. " The Red-Breast, ♦ or is he is fa- miliarly called the Robin, is a bird well known in moat parts of the world. As you must have observed, his bill is dusky ; the forehead, chin, throat, and breast, are of a deep orange colour^ the head, the hind p^irt of the neck the back, and the tail, are of a deep ash colour, tinged with green; the wings have a darker hue^ their edges inclining to yellow ; and the legs and feet are dusky like the bill. I could shew you a beautifully coloured drawing of this elegant little creature^ * The MosUcUU Ri)b<;ci4a of I^ivh^ui. but tnt k-It6l)-BilEAsf i' ^ . a but ifc^Rile ybii hsrVe sttch go^d M\d fttpttit x)ppbrmrihies of s^eib^ k^€ origf nil, ydti Will hbl want such -aidSi' To liiitiibers they iri* ftcc^ptstbk irfid: tascfdt, iand on bther occasions you have likewwe fotmd ifheto sOi '^" •* Of all the feathered race not un*-. der the immediate protedtion of mdtii the Robin is the b^st known ; and iii almosi every couhirj^ of Europfe liai recyfed some familiar and endearing appellatioh. The inhabitants of Bom-t holm call him Tommi Liic% the NoCf; weglaiis, Peter RosmadiXh^ Germatn^i Thomas Gierdet^ isiftd w^ caill him Robin^Red'BreasL it:w Several of Wif. Eir^iih po'eM in panictilar have hoii0ured this mterestt lug bird with particulir notic^ii thei^ lays, of which I haye collected some A 6 beautiful 12 THl KATUKAL HISTORY OF beautiful specipiens* In the Sequel I will lay them before you. Thomson^ admired Thomson ! in his winter^ as you will probably recollect^ thus des- cribed his habits and his partialities^ with thepen of a natualis^ as |des« ities^ IS lan hli floor, le is ; bs will son has been justly called, equally accurate and exact in regard to other objects* " The Red-Breast however is not only indebted to his confidence and familiarity for the kindness he receives^ but our most amiable prejudices are awakened in his favour, by the office assigned him of covering the * Babes in the Wood,* (who had been cruelly murdered by their uncle,) with the lestves which lay around their lifeless remains,^in order to protect them from wild beasts. This popular ballad you know, and I am sure when you reflect on poor Robin's charitable deed, you will love him better than ever," " Yes we do," replied the lovely and humane children, " bat pray tell us what becomes of the Robin wh^n- winter is past, and he retires from our A 7 constant 34 THE NATUBAL HISTOHY ©F constant observation — Where docs lie. build his nest^ mi on what does he live in spring and summer?" ** I intended to give you the infor- mation you wkh for : my description would be imperfect witBout it, ** It is remarlfabic/' continued the father, "that though the Red-Breast (continues all the year in the most nprthern part of our island> hemigrates from France which is so much warm- er, during the winter months. In that country, he freiju^nts itie hedges and' dwelling'-houses for a short time in ^pr^n^ ^nd autqa^ni but when, the fros|; sets in, regularly disi^pearS| either entexi^g the formats, where his notes %X^ p^ially losi, jfljfda thc.,|?^i^, ^hofMs pf his rac^ ^pr retiring to $Qmc infitm- n I ''^- lie 'he 0thet regions^ better suited to hii instincts and h^s wants. " With u$, during the season of sestlii^ and incubation, the male sAakciS the grove vocal with his soft $nd ^melodious lays i but it is in the y- wiQter that his inusic is chiefly regar4^ edj when other songsters are silentj und he almost exclusively cheers our gloomy hours. The npxes of other birds indeed ate louder^arid their in»- flections mc^e varipusj but the>ypice of this warbler is ;always soft^ tender^ , and well supported ; so that we may say in the words of Buffon, * if the Nrghungale's aong ha$ been compared to the fiddlCf the Red-Breast*3 voic^ ba^ all the delicacy of the flute/ " In fact, dunng the season when the young are produced^ the Robin A 8 sometimes 16 THB NATURAL HISTORY OP sometimes assumes a louder tone, and is animated beyond his usual powers. • His accents are more graceful and more touching, and he seems wholly absorbed in his delightful duties and attachments. The interference of strangers is irksome to him ; and even those of his 'oWn species, he pursues with rage, and banishes them from the district he has chosen for himself. Gentle and unsuspicious as he appears at other tihies, and particularly to human society, he cannot endure the idea of a rivals or an intruder on his joys. ** The female builds her nest in some measure, according to the cir- cumstances of her situation. With us she generally builds by the roots of trees in some concealed spot near the ground THE ROBIN-BBD-BlteAST. 17 i ground, forming her nest of dried leaves, mixed with hair and moss, and lined mih feathers; and the more ef- fectually to conceal her retreat, she sometimes covers it with leaves, with a narrow winding entrance under the heap. In other places, the nest 'is found in the crevice of some mossy bank, at the foot of a hawthorn in hedge rows, on a tuft of strong grass, or amidst the covert of the thickest groves. She commonly lays from five to seven cggs> pf ^ dtill white colour, with reddish streaks. It is believed that many of the autumnal songsters are the young males of the same year : so that they arrive at perfection earlier than the generality of their tribe. " The food of the Red-Breast vai- nes with the season, in spring it feeds A 9 .on 18 THE KATUSAL HtSTOIlY OV on insects and wormsy which it pur« sues with address and activity, in the moist and shady districts where it then resides. It has been observed that if prepares worms with much art^ seizing them in its beak by one ex*- tremity and beating them on the ground till the entrails come away^ and then taking them in the same manner by the other end, in order to cleanse them, as the outer part alone is valued for food. ^ In autumn, it devours all kinds of seeds and fruits that come within its reach, not excepting the apple and the grape. ^' Such as remain in the woods become the companions oi the fag^ got maker, who probali; Ui..iodgei* some insects on which they prey; and > THE ROBIN-RED-BREAST. 19 Y and even from the scanty fare of the woodman^ they ate certain of re« ceiving an allowance. Amidst soli- tude and silence they attach them- pelves to his society, anc' he feels ^ .c value of their attc;ptions. , ^*Som6 years ago, when I used to labour occasionally in the g ardca by ;way of exercise, I remember a £avQdte and familiar Robin who i sed to atteiid me, and examine whatever I turned up with the spade. He became so tame, that he constant y watched my motions, and was ready to ^ize the ipsects which the spade, the rake> or the boe disturbed. He was so confident as he thought of my exclusive protection, that he would mot suffer one of bis own kind to approach too near s and I haye often a bee^ 20 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF been amused with the petty conflicts in which he engaged. For two or three seasons, he was my attendant, but at last I missed my friend, and f oured out my regrets in some elegiac verses, which I should be tempted to shew you, had I not better to produce by other pens. " Another Robin for several win- ters made my library its common residence. He introduced himself through an accidental hole in a pane of glass, and I was too well pleased with his company to have it mend- icd. Many a time when I was deeply engaged in study, would he make his appearance; and after picking up the crumbs which my bounty had provided for him, he would perch himself ( ^^ lets or mt, ind ;iac ted to ■ THE KOBIN-RED-'BREAST. 0,1 himsdf on one of the shelves, and, *pay his quit-rents in a song.* "In short, the Red-Breast is one of the most interesting of the feather- ed race. When other birds are si- lent or shun our abodes, he chears us with his melody; and unlike the summer friends who are only solicitous to participate in our pleasures, he visits us in the gloomiest hours of winter, and always receives, «is he well deserves, our hearty welcome and kindest attentions.'' "Thank you papa," said Eliza, *5 we are much obliged to ypu for the Natural History of the Robin, and when spring returns, I hope you will favour us with an account of some other birds which delight us B 2 with 22 THE NATtRAL HISTORY, &C. with their soirg, or command our regard by their habits and manners." ** Agreed," replied the father, "I promise you the Natural History of the Swallow, the Nightingale, the Lark, and perhaps some others. But p you must endeavour to deserve the trouble I sfm willing to take, by kindness and humanity to animals in gerieraf, and by zeal and dili- gence in those studies which arc suitable to y&tti' tender yeah.'* At this momi^rit the Robin again tatn^ up to the window, and joy fceattied on the countenances of Eliii and Alfred at his sight. Selection, &c. SELECTION OF COMPLIMENTARY VERSES, > ADDRESSED TO THE ROBIN. »•»( A Robin-red- BKE AST had taken up its abode in the Cathedral of Bristol, and for the space of fifteen years* usually * Si)me may imagine that fifteen years is a great age for a robiu-red-breast, and therefore doubt if it was the same bird. The -author begs leave to remark, that one of these little domestic songsters has frequented a hot-house belonging to him several years past in the winter months, da« ring which he makes it his chief abode ; a small aperture is purposely made for him to go in or out ; he is exceedingly tame, and usually comes in September, suid goes away in February, » 3 24 SELECTION^ &C. usually perched on one of the pinnacles of the great organ during the time of divine serviccjt accompanying the so- lemnity with its harmonious strain ; and I was so tame as to follow the verger to be fed. It continued its habitation ti]l its deaths which happened some time in the winter of 1787. The late Mr. Samuel Love, minor canon of Bristol, composed ' the following beautiful lines on this little melodious songster. Sweet social bird ! whose soft harmo- a nious lays Swell the glad song of thy Creator^s praise, . Say, art thou conscious of approaching ills? Fell winter's storms — ^the pointed blast that kills! Shun'st h I 'S f I. , SELl^CTION^ itC. 25 Shun'st thou the savage Korlh^s on* , : ^ pitying breath ! . i . j - 1 J j Or cruel man's mare latent ^nctres or death ? - Here dwell secure ; here ^tlk incesscint note,- *^>^« ' Pour the «oft music of^ thy treiidSliirg throat : ^:'iP i Here gende hird, a sure asyliifm^fiiKl; Nor dread the chilling frosty norl^ist'rous .. . ^ ."wind.:.^ ■■! ' ■ '■'■{■■ '^'']^^'- •-'■" No hostile tyrant of the featiileiM race^ Shall dare mvade you in thif hallow'd place; ^^-^^i .Nor, while he ^ils the liquid air alojig. Check the shrlH numbers o!f thy ehfeer- ful song. No •4 l\ a6 SlBLECTIt>N^ 8cCi !r^o catitk)u$'^unner> whose unerring ;sigli£ Stops the swift eagle i];i his ,i^apid ilight, #hall here djstui-h mjj; Ipv^Jyi songster'^ rest, : d\. . Nor wound the pliunag<^ of his crimsoh hreast. t*^ " Ti^e truant school-hoy^ whp^ in wantqi^ play, : ^iMiii , ^^ With viscid lime involves th^ treachVoiDSL • .spray,; - . .'lillid')' . .^ib'ioA In vain shall spread the wily snare for thee, A)ike secure your life and lih^rty. iPeace then, sv^eet warhkr, to thy fluttering •m s heart, ' ' ; Defy the rage of hawks, and toils of art f. Now sji^ke thy downy phitoes, now glad- , lier pay -^ ^ Thy grateful tribute to each rising day ^ J tfELBCTION> &C« S7 While croads below theit willing voices raise^ '"^^'^ To sing with holy zeal Jehovah's praise ! Thouy perched on high, shalt hear th' adoring throngs Catch the warm strains^ and aid the sa«> cred song^ Increase the solemn chorus and ini^pire Each tongue with music^ and each heart with firet ■#-^ ;i; To a RED-BREAST* Little bird, with bosom red, , Welcome to my humble shed. Courtly domes o£ high ' degree Have no room for tiiee and me 5 « 5 S8 SELECTIONi &C, Pride and pleasures fickle throng' 7 Nothing mind an idle song. Daily near my table steals While I pick my scanty meal. Doubt not^ little though there be But rU cast a crumb to thee ; Well rewtirded, if I spy Pleasure in thy glancing eye: See thee, when thou'st eat thy fill. Plume thy breast, and wipe thy bill. Come, my feather*d friend, again Well thou knowest the broken pane. Ask of me thy daily store ,: Go not near Avaho's door ; Once within his iron hall. Woeful end shall thee befall. Savage ! He would soon devest Of its rosy^ plumbs thy breast. Tb^H^ tvitb -solitary joy, l!2 k:r»n- ^i"^ * Eat thee^ bones'^ and all my boy! LANGHORNE, ^TT To a ROBIN. J : i y/* Written in the severe Winter of 1795. PoQR wand'rer !„ thou art welcome to this , shed. r - Por thou hast borne the pityles|s cold storm. Felt the keeii|to;Dn thy defenceless head^ And heard distwidtionrihreat thyyentfe form. .. : What though thy feeble wing now seeks its rest^ Where sorrow's palid victim sinks supine; 30- SELECTION, &C. One genial glow still lingers in this breeist. To sOoth the timid fktterings of thine. Perchance that sympathy maybe as sweet. As what festivity's gay child could give; Perchance, thou know'st, no mercy gilds his seat^f , )JI ^; u! Who never in the tempest knew to live. Cofm^th^tf,ttiild suffrfer^tny 6ompanioh be,^ Life yet shall know one charm, if I can ^^^^^ bUss--e'6n tlie6,^ ' M^.l r.'j k .\ji'j'JUi^ ■ . ..I. ..i:.. .^ s LINES to thfe RE1>.BREAST. Long songstress of the waining year, ' The first amid the feather'd choir. That warbling many a wild note clear. Attunes the lay to young desire ; ii,-i ' n ♦ y } t, V ■ k *1 y I SELECTION, 8CC. M Why swells with grief that little thrpatj Why do thy plumes disorder'd lie ? Say from what cause that pensive note Proceeds, and why that alter'd eye ? — ' Has fate, beneath the fowler's form, V With cruel aim thy bhss annoy 'd ? Or truant-boy, intent on harm, ' With savage hand thy young destroy'd? ■* ■ " If 'tis thy lot these woes to prove. Thy plaintive strains still let me hear ; For as thou wall'st thy injui^'d love, ni sooth thy sufferings with a tear. 32 SELECTIONj See. -!' SONNET TO A RED-BREAST. In Autumn's wane thy sweetly-soothing % ■ And plaintive warbling lulFd my cares to rest ; When winter came in gloomy horrors drost, ' I saw thee silent on the naked spray. The trees again bedeck'd in foilage gay. While rays reflected streak the roseate west, ' Again thy cadence sooths my anxious breast, - - And trills the requiem of departed day. . Thus when my love in wasting sickness pin'd, I' m I SELECTION, 8CC. 33 Tliought drooping, sad, I mourn*d for- ^. lorn the while, \ Yet would thy muse the painful seii#e' heguile. Till hope to silent darkness was consigned. ' And now one gleam benignant from above, - Restrings a mournful lyre, — but tun'd to love. - 1 m ELEGY to a RED-BREAST. Sweet bird that cheerest with thy simple The silent glooms of winter's dreary reign ; Ah ! yet awhile tliat pretty note prolong. Perchance my Delia listens to thy • » ' - . strain. 34 SELECTION^ &C. And let it steal into that gentle breast : Thy little strains that gentle breast will move ; I. 'M *>; : i Dear is the bird^ that sings of pity best To her, who only is a foe to love, , it,-, | ■ ' ' ' ' ■ = ,' ' - ■' ■ ■ , Then sing how soon the vernal beauties . fade. By ruthless storms their rip'ning blos- soms torn; ' ? j In vain she wooes, amid the gathering shade, '' ' The gales of evening, or the dews of ■ - * v/ J A morn. .* I «,.", i How life's stern winter like the winds shall rage. Like them will riot on her rosy charms: Then bid her, if she fears the blasts of age, s 'I - To seek a suelter in her lover's arms. of all SELECTION, &C. ,35 So shall repeated gifts of fruit and flowers Reward the service of thy tuneful tongue; My pious care shall watch thy wintry - hours. My Delia's fondness guard thy callous young. il " 1,;" * *' '■ # '-' ^ /'" f ;.C\ C ^_. So shall thy simple warblings charm the grove ; % n For Venus' self her guardian aid shall lend : And the sweet bird, whose carols favour'd love. ^.i. In grateful love shall ever find a friend. I ■ , . . Tlien ffeU her, that her true-love ne'er shall fail. Till mute his tongue, in death his bosom cold; — 36 SELECTION, &C. Thy song perchance may speak a ten- derer tale, ,Hiinii'jf^in, But ah ! a truer never yet was told. ^ - Marsh. v4va On a ROBIN-RED-BREAST, Being found in the Gaol Chapel at Thet- fordy June 27. Ah, gentle stranger! take thy flight From these drear mansions, where the light But dimly penetrates the gloom, '-t^ Faint image of our future tomb ! Say why so musical thy throat ? Why lengthen thus thy chearful note, *Mid horrors wild, the prison's hght. Where wretcheS; doomed t' eternal night, i : i SELECTION^ &C. ST Jlattle their adamantine 'chainsi w|,t> ;; Corroding links, corroding pains I : Where melancholy, dreadful foe To all our comibrts here below, ^ Preys, unperceiv*d upon^the mind. And prompts in death relief to find. Where echo, in her airy round. Repeats the prisoner's doleful sound ; Recounts his woes, his griefs again. Through every dungeon, every den ! Till wan dispair defoims his mien. And ghrenzy shuts the guilty scene : Or say, sweet bird ! domestic friend ! Is it thy cheering voice to lend. To heal the guilty wretch's smart. And sooUi the self condemned heart ? To pour sweet Angel-mercy's ray. And wipe repentant tears away ? 38 SELECTION^ &C. Gentlest the feather'd choir among. Sweet comforter, prolong thy song. ' Teach them, like thee, in grateful lays. To celebrate their Maker's praise. J. MooRE, Ordinary, The ROBIN RED-BREAST. Harr, at the little Robin's double note ! How sweet ihe strains her beauteous swelling throat, Quits gloomy silence, and the bramble wo6d. And, nearing man, proclaims her gra- titude, Fc r, when the air was full of sleet or snow. The sapless thorn disrobed of the haw. - I IS le ' 'i SELECTION, &C. 39\ When ev'ry thatch with icicles was bound. And not one insect crawFd upon the " . ground, > " \ " The friged chirper left the hardened fold, And on the shepherd's hearth her story > told. > Fearful at first she hops in at the door, Lur'd by the faggot's shining on the floor ; Soon does the little vagrant leel the heat, ^ "'^ Breads to advance, yet trembles to retreat; Whilst the kind landlord her intention views. And tempting crumbs around his cottage strews: Th' embolden'd Robin more famil'^r gro^n. Pecks from the gen'rous hand the wel- come boon. LO SEtECTlO^K, Sec. HeaV'U (Jc- [such nat^al lessons m by sigu'd Timplant the act Imman. on ypu Lbful mind. *-4,^ *» «CWldren,Wcet.nderoz-.ex.,t^etUcbo«r, «ASd. as they first are fashio«'d,alwaj« grow. * * Aad, mark! when Spriag *P«meU tJae bright scene ■■* . - Wikbou^leBScarpetofenliv'ninssreen, Wh^ia flaw'rs, eyc-plea*M)g, re-*r tlfti^T showy braids* : -''5 s^f * A,d odoriferous «=ent t^rroug^ ^'^^'^V ^pre>ads, - Then does the RoVm build in neisbVr.nS - 5» tree^ ■♦•» ' -r . . . ■ *^^ <*■ And cheerful breeds a helpless progeny. !•„*« The Robin do«t . Poete are n<.t ?\«^«SLf ;„ J^nly near U.? 3* SELECTION, kc» 41 Whistle, all ! whistle on, thou lamb-like bird. That thy delightful music may be heard : And if Grimalkin fell, approaching sly, « Should on poor Red-breast throw a loi%- ^' ■ • '' ingeye, •-' r ■-'-^'tf^m^ I vvill, by Heav'n I will with angry voice, Bid her begone, to feed on thieving laaice ; So, prithee, warbler, bid adieu to fear. Be sprightly and secure — for man is n^ar. MM LIN^S ADBRflSSED TO A ROBIN^ Written at the approach of Winter* Poor tenant of the wint'ry waste, ^ Tlie object of my early care. Sweet Robin ! to my cottage haste. And share with , me my humble fare. ■ *♦*•«■ NDyiHT'^ 42 SEIECTION, &(J. Here at my plain, but welcome board> Which costly viands never deck, The crumbs which freely I afford. You may those crumbs as freely peck. I i •i When winter*s cheeks are dew'd with tears. Here you may safely take your rest : Then banish all your twittering fearj. And Robin, haste, and be my guest. Know all ! this moral to be true, "? With which I close my little lay ! " Whate'er kind actions man may do. The Best of Beings will repay." f « SELECTION, &C. > ■ • ON THE SINGING OF A 43 RED-BREAST, LATE IN THE AUTUMN. 3r Dear harmless bird^ that still with •!- > sprightly lay Dost chase sad silence from the drooping grove. And cheer my lonely walk at close of . day, As pensiye through the rustling copse , I rove. Long since the sportive songsters of the spring Have ceas'd their strains; and trem- bling now deplore r-"r-**^ 'k'f* t *\\if »'• I lil 44 ^ SfitfecTlON, *&c. The approach of winter ; or with active Speed their swift flight to seek some milder shorcil-u^, if But thou, contented, still delight*st to live Within thy native clime, still pour thy song (Tho* winter frown)from morn to latest eve. And spring's gay music thro* the year ' prolong. ^'^ 31-'^- :-3(ff Dear harmless bird ! — ^how bright in thee displayed, . ^- Friendship unbiassVI, and sincere, we view, ^ • Which still when wealth and short liv'd honours fade, ;^fJoa ' Mid fortune's chilling frowiis con- tinues true. ' ^ ♦ - % frl.L£CTION. 8CC. 45 '^T''- ' "siKoiJ ! -? Ode to the RED-BREAST. Translated from the Latin ofH,F.Carj/, . ^''-^ ■■".!.' OthoU;, that with thy sweetly \varbling^»t>ng Cheai'*»t the dull hours,^ when all thy tribes are fled To nooks and holes, and every tuneful Is mute ; where hid*st thou now tliy pretty head j^0j« While northern blasts \vith bitter chillness' ^ ■ ''^" blow/. ■•■ '-^'^'' And groves around are clad in stiffen'd snow. How, dost thpAi^ meekest, loveliest min- strel, bear. Winter's -ire cdd, and penury severe I 46 SELECTION^ &C. [f Hither thy flight. Oh! hither fearless wing ; V I'll cherish thee, and feed thee, till the spring ' ; / T Her smiles resuming, calls thee hence away, '^ 0*er hills^ dales, woods, and open fields to stray. ■ ;i^' V . , , i III MONODY, Sung by a RED-BREAST, Tii E gentle pair that in these lonely shades. Wandering, at eve or morn, I oft have seen^ Now all in vain I seek at eve or mom. With drooping w^ing, forlorn. Along the^rove, along the da;sied green. W T V SELfcCTION, &C. . 47 For them I've warbled many asummersday , Till the light dews impcarled all the ptain^ And the glad shepherd shut his nightly fold; Stories of love, and high adventnrcs old Were the dear subjects of my tuneful strain. Ah! where is now the hope of all my lay? Now they, perchance, that heard them all are dead ! With them the meed of melody is fled. And fled with them the listening ear of praise. Vainly I dr^^nt^that when the wintVy sky Scattered the white flood on the wasted plain. When not one berry, not one leaf was nigh. To sooth keen hunger's pain. Vainly 1 dreamt my songs might not be vain. 4$ SELiECTION^ &C. That oft within the hospitable hall Some scatter'dfragineats haplyl mightlind^ Some friendly crumb perchance for me designed. When seen desporting on the neighbouring wall. Deluded bird, those hopes are now no more! Dull time has blasted the departing year, And winter frowns severe, Wrappinghis wan limbs in his mantle hoar. Yet not within the hospitable hall The cheerful sound of human voice I hear; No piteous eye is near, To See me drooping on the lonely wall. Langhorne. SELECTION, &C. 49 To a REIX-BREAST. t Descending from the leafless spray. The scatter'd crumbs to eat. Fearless of harm^ last night I saw Thee hopping round my feet; This morn thy tuneful notes I heard Where murmurs softly rill ? And why, my pretty son^&teer. Didst thou desert my s^U } Why perch'd upon the broken waijj Or hop-pole stack hard by. Dost thou behold rny peacefiil cot With more suspicious ^^^^l Here's nothing of the tabby kind. Thy vermeil cr^st to watch : ■''■ " » ' \» tm^i^-tmm^m'^ — ~^-^^ 50 SELECTION, &C. No wicked boy, with bird-lime snare. Thy little form to catch. * And now, when all the feather'd tribe Scarce charm lis with a note, O come, and charm my pensive dame With thy melodious throat. Safe from the winter's piercing cold. The blast that bends the trees. The falling snpw and rigid frost. That numbs with every breeic. « Return, sweet bird, and take thy home With me, thy friend sincere ; • Repay tny kindness with a song. And rU protect thee here. Dr. PlRFECT. SELECTION, &C. 51 SONNET, To a ROBIN, singing in a tree, while the leaves were falling round him in autumn. Heard you that faint, that dying strain ! ^ In cadence with the falling leaf ; With me, sweet bird, dost thou complain? For fading nature wakes my grief. Her chequer'd tints that mark decay. O'er every s^nse spread glcom and sad dismay. Bad; 'to gay summer's sunny hours Fond FANCY turns, on bhss intent : — It starts— reflection numbs her powers, ?or pleasure's glass, alas ! is spent. Itene^w, sweet bird, thatplaintive song, In unison, my feelings move : u Unheard, you sing amid the throng, — NfSglected;^ ever, will my sorrcvs prove.^ ^ Mayor. 52 «EtECTION, &Ct On a RED-BREA$T, ^ •«!k^^^j^^ " Pc iQWder din of those at play, *iV Or master's threats, or suffeter's criea^ ^r:. Drive tbee, ouv gcnU^ guest awayf ' ,i .'■/*. How ill the ijiotes thou lov'st to pour. How ill accords thy cheerful song With sounds of Greek and Latin lore. Made more uncouth by stammer^s tongue ! .1 *i "f But thee, no scepter'd rod restrains. No Li/^'s rules thy song confine. For thou canst pass through broken panes. And Nature's libertines rejoin. But still, emeei ^niien of air,. With pity from those beams survey Us puny sons of toil and care. And with a song thy quit rent pay. •i. m 54 SBLEC^ION^ &C. So may no elf^ with wicked de«d> Thy fearless innocence molest ; BvL' laily hring thee crumbs ^^>€!eed 'ii^he helpless chirpers of thy nest ! ♦ > A I FINIS, t.. k ;*' n\ ..^' fcf^ ts*^^' %. < mt^j^.. JPrinUi ^y /. Ifigg^^f ^^* ^nn*f,Z>i^ .•♦ f * < !-tt^ ■!• ( k: Ti ./' * . '• sLSS^-u. .-•,,■,. \ . ■..■•?. I --V/' i^^^i I )R^!S'^^'^'*He'IiiS^ birds, ^'■Mritlif)?^* .\WQ^ fc ■ ■>• '^'^'Cd/;A.'«tll.; ^*V.K^^^■>■:_^/- \..:-.