Slaves to fashion, slaves to dress,
Fops, themselves alone caress!
Let them without rival be;
They are not the men for me!
He, whose nervous arm can dart
The jav'lin to the tiger's heart,
From all sense of danger free,
He's the man that 's made for me!
While his speed outstrips the wind,
Loosely wave his locks behind!
From fantastic fopp'ry free,
He's the man that 's made for me!
Nor simp'ring smile, nor dimple sleek,
Spoil his manly sun-burnt cheek;
By weather let him painted be!
He's the man that 's made for me!
If false he prove, my jav'lin can
Revenge the perjury of Man!
And soon another, brave as he,
Shall be found the man for me!
ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE CAT, DROWNED
'Twas on a lofty vase's side,
Where China's gayest art had dyed
The azure flowers, that blow;
The pensive Selima reclined,
Demurest of the Tabby kind,
Gazed on the lake below.
Her conscious tail her joy declared.
The fair round face, the snowy beard,
The velvet of her paws,
The coat that with the tortoise vies,
Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes,
She saw; and purred applause.
Still had she gazed; but, 'midst the tide,
Two beauteous forms were seen to glide,
The Genii of the stream.
Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue,
Through richest purple, to the view
Betrayed a golden gleam.
The hapless Nymph, with wonder saw.
A whisker first, and then a claw,
With many an ardent wish,
She stretched, in vain, to reach the prize! What female heart can gold despise ! What cat's a foe to fish!
Presumptuous maid! With looks intent,
Again she stretched! again she bent!
Nor knew the gulf between.
(Malignant Fate sat by, and smiled!)
The slipp'ry verge, her feet beguiled;
She tumbled headlong in!
Eight times emerging from the flood,
She mewed to ev'ry wat'ry God,
Some speedy aid to send!
No dolphin came! no Nereid stirred!
Nor cruel Toм, nor HARRY, heard!
What fav'rite has a friend!
From hence, ye Beauties! undeceived, Know, one false step is ne'er retrieved; And be, with caution, bold!
Not all that tempts your wand'ring eyes And heedless hearts, is lawful prize; Nor all that glisters, gold!
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