270 
TYRANT FLYCATCHER. 
For her repose scours o’er th’ adjacent fai'm, 
Whence Hawks might dart, or lurking foes alarm; 
For now abroad a band of ruffians prey, 
The Crow, the Cuckoo, and th’ LnsicUous Jay; 
These, in the owner’s absence, all destroy. 
And murder every hope, and every joy. 
Soft sits his brooding mate; her guardian he, 
Perch’d on the top of some tall neighb’ringtree; 
Thence, from the thicket to the concave skies. 
His watchful eye around unceasing flies. 
Wrens, Thrushes, Warblers, startled at his note. 
Fly in affright the consecrated spot. 
He drives the plund’iing Jay, witli honest scorn. 
Back to his woods; the Mocker to his thorn; 
Sweeps round the Cuckoo, as the thief retreats; 
Attacks the Crow; the diving Hawk defeats; 
Darts on the Eagle downwaiffs fi-om afar. 
And midst the clouds prolongs the whirling war. 
All danger o’er, he hastens back elate. 
To guard his post and feed his faithful mate. 
Behold him now, his httle family ffown. 
Meek, unassuming, silent, and alone; 
Lur’d by the well-known hum of fav’rite bees. 
As slow he hovers o’er the garden trees; 
(For all have filings, passions, whims that lead; 
Some fav’rite wish, some appetite to feed;) 
Strait he alights, and from the pear-tree spies 
The circling stream of humming insects rise; 
Selects his prey; darts on the busy brood. 
And shrilly twitters o’er liis sav’ry food. 
Ah! ill-timed triumph! direful note to thee. 
That guides thy murderer to the fatal tree; 
See where he skulks! and takes his gloomy stand; 
The deep -charg’d musket hanging in his hand; 
And gaunt for blood, he leans it on a rest, 
Prepar’d, and pointed at thy snow-white breast. 
Ah friend! goodfiiend! forbear that barb’rous deed. 
Against it valour, goodness, pity plead; 
If e’er a family’s gi-iefs, a widow’s wo. 
Have reach’d thy soul, in mercy let him go ' 
Yet, should the tear of pity nought avail. 
Let interest speak, let gratitude prevail; 
