The open windows feemed to invite The freeman to a farewell flight; But Tom was ftill confined; And Dick, although his way was clear, Was much too generous and fincere To leave his friend behind. For, fettling on his grated roof, He chirped and kiffed him, giving proof Nor would forfake his cage at last, Oh ye, who never knew the joys Of Friendship, fatisfied with noise, Fandango, ball, and rout! Blufh, when I tell you how a bird, A prifon with a friend preferred To liberty without. THE NEEDLESS ALARM. A TALE. THERE is a field, through which I often pass, VOL. II. Not yet the hawthorn bore her berries red, With which the fieldfare, wintry gueft, is fed; Nor autumn yet had brushed from every spray, With her chill hand, the mellow leaves away; But corn was housed, and beans were in the stack, Now therefore iffued forth the spotted pack, With tails high mounted, ears hung low, and throats With a whole gamut filled of heavenly notes, For which, alas! my deftiny fevere, Though ears fhe gave me two, gave me no ear. And heedlefs whither, to that field İ came, Sheep grazed the field; fome with soft bosom preffed The herb as foft, while nibbling ftrayed the reft; Nor noife was heard but of the hafty brook, Struggling, detained in many a petty nook. * Two woods belonging to John Throckmorton, Efq. All feemed fo peaceful, that from them conveyed To me, their peace by kind contagion spread. But when the huntfman, with diftended cheek, 'Gan make his instrument of music speak, And from within the wood that crafh was heard, Though not a hound from whom it burft appeared, The fheep recumbent, and the theep that grazed, All huddling into phalanx, stood and gazed, Admiring, terrified, the novel ftrain, Then courfed the field around, and coursed it round again; But, recollecting with a sudden thought, That flight in circles urged advanced them nought, But, with precifion nicer ftill, the mind. He fcans of every loco motive kind; That ferve mankind, or fhun them, wild or tame; The looks and geftures of their griefs and fears He spells them true by intuition's light, This truth premised was needful as a text, Awhile they mufed; furveying every face, Sure ne'er to want them, mathematic truths; In earth's dark womb have found at last a vent, |