IMITATIONS O F ENGLISH POET S. W Done by the Author in his Youth. I. CHAUCER. OMEN ben full of Ragerie, Yet fwinken nat fans fecrefie. Thilke moral shall ye understond, From Schoole-boy's Tale of fayre Irelond: "Lo here is Coz, and here is Mifs." 5 10 15 But, as he glozeth with speeches foote, The Ducke fore tickleth his Erse roote: Z 4 20 Te-he, Te-he, cry'd Ladies; Clerke nought spake: IN every Town where Thamis rolls his Tyde, A narrow Pafs there is, with Houfes low; Where ever and anon, the Stream is ey'd, There oft are heard the notes of Infant Woe, 25 The fhort thick Sob, loud Scream, and fhriller Squall: How can ye, Mothers, vex your children fo? Some play, fome eat, fome cack against the wall, And as they crouchen low, for bread and butter call. II. And on the broken pavement, here and there, And hens, and dogs, and hogs are feeding by ; ΤΟ 15 Now Now finging fhrill, and scolding eft between; I ween. III. The fnappifh cur (the paffengers annoy) Clofe at my heel with yelping treble flies; 20 The whimp'ring girl, and hoarfer-screaming boy, IV. Hard by a Sty, beneath a roof of thatch, Dwelt Obloquy, who in her early days Cod, whiting, oyfter, mackrel, fprat, or plaice: 25 ૩૦ There learn'd she speech from tongues that never cease. Slander befide her, like a Magpie, chatters, With Envy, (fpitting Cat) dread foe to peace; Like a curs'd Cur, Malice before her clatters, 35 And, vexing every wight, tears clothes and all to tatters. V. Her dugs were mark'd by every Collier's hand, 40 Yea, Yea, when she paffed by or lane or nook, Would greet the man who turn'd him to the Wall, Nor ever did afkance like modest Virgin look. VI. Such place hath Deptford, navy-building town, All up the filver Thames, or all adown; 45 50 Ne Richmond's felf, from whofe tall front are ey'd Vales, fpires, meandering streams, and Windfor's towery pride. III. OF A LADY SINGING TO HER LUTE. F AIR Charmer, cease, nor make your voice's prize Well might, alas! that threat'ned vessel fail, This vocal wood had drawn the Poet too. 5 On On a FAN of the Author's defign, in which was painted the ftory of CEPHALUS and PROCRIS, with the Motto, AURA VENI. C OME, gentle air! th' Æolian fhepherd said, While Procris panted in the secret shade; Come, gentle Air, the fairer Delia cries, While at her feet her fwain expiring lies. Lo the glad gales o'er all her beauties stray, Breathe on her lips, and in her bosom play! In Delia's hand this toy is fatal found, Nor could that fabled dart more furely wound: Both gifts deftru&tive to the givers prove; Alike both lovers fall by thofe they love. Yet guiltless too this bright deftroyer lives, At random wounds, nor knows the wound the gives: She views the ftory with attentive eyes, And pities Procris, while her lover dies. IV. COWLEY. THE GARDEN. FAIN would my Mufe the flowery Treasure fing, And humble glories of the youthful Spring: 5 And |