25 Yet these I leave as thoughtless as a lark; These lures I straight forget,-e'en ere I dine, Or thrice my palate moisten : but when I mark Such charms with mild intelligences shine, My ear is open like a greedy shark, To catch the tunings of a voice divine. 30 35 Ah! who can e'er forget so fair a being? Who can forget her half retiring sweets ? God! she is like a milk-white lamb that bleats For man's protection. Surely the All-seeing, Who joys to see us with his gifts agreeing, Will never give him pinions, who intreats Such innocence to ruin, who vilely cheats A lay that once I saw her hand awake, Had I e'er seen her from an arbour take A dewy flower, oft would that hand appear, And o'er my eyes the trembling moisture shake. 40 EPISTLES. Among the rest a shepheard (though but young “Yet hartned to his pipe) with all the skill His few yeeres could, began to fit his quill.” Britannia's Pastorals.- BROWNE. EPISTLES. TO GEORGE FELTON MATHEW. 5 Sweet are the pleasures that to verse belong, Too partial friend ! fain would I follow thee 15 |