THE PINEAPPLE AND THE BEE. THE pineapples, in triple row, Were basking hot, and all in blow; The nymph between two chariot glasses, The silly unsuccessful bee. The maid, who views with pensive air But ah, the cruel glass between! Our dear delights are often such, Expos'd to view, but not to touch; The sight our foolish heart inflames, We long for pineapples in frames; With hopeless wish one looks and lingers; One breaks the glass, and cuts his fingers; But they whom truth and wisdom lead, Can gather honey from a weed. с с HORACE, BOOK II, ODE X. I. RECEIVE, dear friend, the truths I teach, Of adverse Fortune's pow'r ; Along the treach'rous shore. II. He, that holds fast the golden mean, The little and the great, Feels not the wants, that pinch the poor, Nor plagues, that haunt the rich man's door, Imbitt'ring all his state. III. The tallest pines feel most the pow'r The bolts, that spare the mountain's side, And spread the ruin round. IV. The well inform'd philosopher And hopes, in spite of pain; If Winter bellow from the north, Soon the sweet Spring comes dancing forth, And Nature laughs again. V. What if thine Heav'n be overcast, The dark appearance will not last; The God, that strings the silver bow, VI. If hindrances obstruct thy way, And let thy strength be seen; A Reflection on the foregoing Ode. AND is this all? Can Reason do no more, Than bid me shun the deep, and dread the shore? The Christian has an art unknown to thee. And, trusting in his God, surmounts them all. |