PATELLA LIMPET. 123 



6 In Nature's all-instructive book, 



Where can the eye of reason look, 



And not some gainful lesson find 



To guide, and fortify the mind ! 



The simple shell on yonder rock 



May seem, perchance, this book to mock 



Approach it then, and learn its ways, 



And learn the lesson it conveys. 



At distance viewed, it seems to lie 



On its rough bed so carelessly, 



That 'twould an infant's hand obey 



Stretch 'd forth to seize it in its play ; 



But let that infant's hand draw near, 



It shrinks with quick, instinctive fear, 



And clings as close as though the stone 



It rests upon, and it, were one ; 



And should the strongest arm endeavour 



The Limpet from its rock to sever, 



'Tis seen its loved support to clasp 



With such tenacity of grasp, 



We wonder that such strength should dwell 



In such a small and simple shell ! 



And is not this a lesson worth 



The study of the sons of earth ? 



Who need a rock so much as we ? 



Ah ! who to such a rock can flee ? 



A rock to strengthen, comfort, aid, 



To guard, to shelter, and to shade ; 



A rock, whence fruits celestial grow 



And whence refreshing waters flow 



No rock is like this rock of ours ! 



Oh then if you have learnt your pow'rs 



By a just rule to estimate ; 



If justly you can calculate, 



How great your need, your strength how frail, 



How prone your best resolves to fail, 



When humble caution bids you fear 



A moment of temptation near, 



Let wakeful memory recur 



To this your simple monitor, 



And wisely shun the trial's shock 



By clinging closely to your rock.' 



