34 THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL, AND GRASSHOPPER'S FEAST. 3. And there came the beetle, so blind and so black, 4. And there came the moth, with her plumage of down, And the hornet with jacket of yellow and brown, Who with him, the wasp, his companion did bring, But they promised that evening to lay by their sting. 5. Then the sly little dormouse peeped out of his hole, And the snail, with her horns peeping out of her shell, 6. A mushroom the table, and on it was spread A water-dock leaf, which their table-cloth made; 7. With steps most majestic the snail did advance, 8. Then as evening gave way to the shadows of night, THE HAPPY LIFE. 1. How happy is he born and taught 2. Whose passions not his masters are, Whose soul is still prepared for death, Untied unto the worldly care Of public fame or private breath. 3. Who envies none that chance doth raise, 4. Who hath his life from rumours freed, Whose conscience is his strong retreat; Whose state can neither flatterers feed, No ruin make oppressors great. 5. Who God doth late and early pray And entertains the harmless day With a religious book or friend. 6. This man is freed from servile bands VERSES SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER SELKIRK, WHO WAS LEFT ON THE DESOLATE ISLAND OF JUAN FERNANDEZ. 1. I AM monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute: 2. Oh, solitude! where are the charms 3. I am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone, BY ALEXANDER SELKIRK. 4. The beasts that roam over the plain, 5. Society, friendship, and love, 6. My sorrows I then might assuage In the ways of religion and truth, 7. Religion! what treasure untold, 8. But the sound of the church-going bell 9. Ye winds, that have made me your sport, Some cordial endearing report Of a land I shall visit no more. 37 38 VERSES SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY SELKIRK. 10. My friends do they now and then send Though a friend I am never to see! 11. How fleet is the glance of the mind! And the swift winged arrows of light. 12. When I think of my own native land, 13. But the sea-fowl is gone to her nest, And I to my cabin repair. 14. There is mercy in every place And mercy, encouraging thought! Gives even affliction a grace, And reconciles man to his lot. |