POET/fr. 



To TiiE Narcissus. 



Thee too, Narcnsus white, whose pliant stalk, 

 Sti.'x weak'ning as it grows, scarce dims the force 

 Ofwand'ring zephyrs, thee I lain would sing 

 In deathlefs strains with beauties like thine own. 

 Had that ilnhappy youth, who pin'd for love 

 Of his own wat'ry thape reiiected fair, 

 From the pure surface of the gl?fsy stream, 

 Boasted thy graces, it had been no crime 

 T' have gaz'd enamour'd, thro' the live long day, 

 T' have sigh'd in slcknefs, and then died at last 

 With hopelefs anguifti. Tho' 'tis fable all. 

 Nor e'er did lover grieve his soul away 

 For unsubstantial fliade, yet well he feign'd. 

 Who feigned this story, when he chose thy form 

 To tell what matchlels charms that youth beguil'd. 

 Who still desiring what he ne'er could reach, 

 .And, fondly looking on what fondly look'd, 

 !Hung like a marble statue o'er the flood. 

 Till life had left the form he never left. 



Unspotted ftow'r, when scarce the red hair'd sua 

 Had raised his foot al)0ve yon eastern hills, 

 I've quitted oft my downy bed to gaze 

 O'er ail thy beauties, while thy silvery face, 

 Bath'd in fircfh pearly dew-drops oi'the morn, 

 Shew'd like a virgin, from whose tear-wet cheek 

 Heart-peircing grief had rifled all the rose, 

 And left the widow'd lily, there to mourn 

 Her partner's lofs. If, as I mark'd thy charms, 

 It chanc'd that some rude wind came rufliing by, 

 And bent thee ddwr;, thee and thy flag like leaves, 

 Down to the grouna, with still elastic force, 

 ■Recovering still, I've thought thee in my mind, 

 Some king surrounded with his lawning train, 

 Who w.-.ti h s motions, copy all his ways, 

 Send as he bends, and, as he rises, rise. 



P. H. 



