€47 



In vain for you had nature blended 

 Two regions, and your powers extended ; 

 Now high you rose, now low descended ; 



But folly marred 

 Those gifts, the bounteous dame intended 



To prove your guard. 



A flying fish, could bounds include her ? 

 She winged the deep, if birds pursued her ; 

 She swam the sky, if dolphins viewed her ; 



But now what wish 

 Tempts you to watch yon bright deluder, 



Unthinking fish ? 



Alas ! — a fly above you viewing, 

 Gay tints his gilded wings imbuing, 

 You mount ; and ah ! too far pursuing 



At fancy's call, 

 Heedless you strike the sails, where ruin 



Awaits your fall. 



Your fins, too dry, no longer play you, 

 And soon those fins no more upstay you ; 

 You drop ; and now on deck survey you 



Jack, Tom, and Bill, 

 Who up may take, and down may lay you, 



As suits their will. 



Oh ! list my tale, fair maids of Britain ! 



This subject fain I'd try my wit on, 



And show the rock you 're apt to split on : 



Then cry not — « Pish ! " — 

 You 're all (I 'm glad the thought I hit on) 



Just flying fish ! 



Beauty, does nature's hand bestow it ? 



It swells your pride, and plain you show it; 



R 4 



