EGOTISM, OK SELF-LOVE. 
157 
NARCISSUS. 
Narcissus Poeticus. 
Language — EGOTISM, OR SELF-LOVE. 
Narcissus on the grassy verdure lies ; 
But while within the crystal fount he tries 
To quench his heat, he feels new heats arise ; 
For, as his own bright image he surveyed, 
He fell in love with the fantastic shade; 
And o’er the fair resemblance hung unmoved, 
Nor knew, fond youth, it was himself he loved. 
Ovid. 
Some women deify a friend ; 
Some grovel at the shrine of pelf; 
A few to heaven in worship bend: 
Her idol is — her own sweet self. 
Mrs. Osoood. 
A thousand volumes in a thousand tongues enshrine the 
lessons of Experience; 
Yet a man shall read them all, and go forth none the 
wiser, 
If self-love lendeth him a glass, to color all he connetli, 
Lest in the features of another he find his own com¬ 
plexion. 
TAPPER. 
