Small service is true service while it lasts: Of humblest Friends, bright Creature! scorn not one: The Daisy, by the shadow that it casts, Protects the lingering dew-drop from the Sun.
Sweet Mary, though nor sighs nor pains Impassion'd courtship prove, My simple song the truth ne'er feigns To win thee to my love: I ask thee from thy bustling life, Where nought can pleasing prove,...
Beautiful cloud! with folds so soft and fair, Swimming in the pure quiet air! Thy fleeces bathed in sunlight, while below Thy shadow o'er the vale moves slow;...
Lady, wouldst thou heiress be To Winters cold and cruel part? When he sets the rivers free, Thou dost still lock up thy heart; - Thou that shouldst outlast the snow, But in the whiteness of thy brow?...
You that would break with the Past, Why with so rude a gesture take your leave? None hinders, go your way; but wherefore cast Contempt and boorish scorn Upon the womb from which even you were born?...
In a perfumed land caressed by the sun I found, beneath the trees' crimson canopy, palms from which languor pours on one's eyes, the veiled charms of a Creole lady.
Song hath a catalogue of lovely things Thy kind hath oft defiled, whose spite misleads The world too often! where the poet reads, As in a fable, of old envyings,...
I come to visit thee agen, My little flowerless cyclamen; To touch the hand, almost to press, That cheer'd thee in thy loneliness. What could thy careful guardian find Of thee in form, of me in mind,...
Come away, come away, little fly! Don't disturb the sweet calm of love's nest: If you do, I protest you shall die, And your tomb be that beautiful breast.
By especial request I take up my pen, To write a few lines to my dear Mrs. N.; And though nothing of depth she has right to expect; Yet the will for the deed she will not reject...
Now all the truth is out, Be secret and take defeat From any brazen throat, For how can you compete, Being honour bred, with one Who, were it proved he lies, Were neither shamed in his own...
Kind Sir, I've read your paper through, And, faith, to me 'twas really new! How guess'd ye, Sir, what maist I wanted? This mony a day I've grain'd and gaunted, To ken what French mischief was brewin';...
Rail on, Rail on, ye heartless crew! My strains were never meant for you; Remorseless Rancour still reveal, And damn the verse you cannot feel. Invoke those kindred passions' aid,...
Love's fiery chariot, Delia, take Which Vulcan wrought for Venus' sake. Wings shall not waft thee, but a flame Hot as my heart, as nobly tame: Lit by a spark, less bright, more wise...
Ha! whare ye gaun, ye crowlin ferlie! Your impudence protects you sairly: I canna say by ye strunt rarely, Owre gauze and lace; Tho' faith, I fear, ye dine but sparely On sic a place. ...
Cowslip bud, so early peeping, Warm'd by April's hazard hours; O'er thy head though sunshine's creeping, Close the threatening tempest lowers: Trembling blossom, let me bear thee...