O PLEASURES OF ORNITHOLOGY. 



O YE whom silken Pleasure leads along 

 In mazy whirl ; YE whom Prosperity 

 Bears on her favouring gales that wake for You 

 Their fitful melody, and in their train 

 Too often lead Forgetfulness ; O YE 

 Who live unto yourselves, and banish care 

 Of others* happiness far, far beyond 

 Your dwelling ; YE who often laugh to scorn 

 The Feelings, while, to torture YE subject 

 The feathered tribes in sport ; and deem so broad 

 Your proud prerogative, that boundaries none 

 Hath it, except youv pleasure or your will ; 

 That man is lord of all, beyond dispute — 

 Without conditions, YE mistaken ones ! 

 If yet within your bosom there remain 

 The slenderest portion of humanity — 

 A trembling sob, for gentle pity's sake — 

 Brief audience deign, O listen to my song! 



And thou, the godlike Essence ! too, approach , 

 Benevolence ! than whom presides o'er earth 

 Aught more divine, more lovely ; effluence thou 

 From Justice high, immutable and pure, 

 And all-pervading; with thy magic wand 

 Of sympathy the cold, the torpid, touch, 

 And rouse to active energy their souls ; 

 While through the song, benignant ministress ! 



