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"TWAS

on a lofty vafe's fide,

Where China's gayest art had dy'd

The azure flowers, that blow;

Demureft of the tabby kind,

The penfive Selima reclin'd,

Gaz'd on the lake below.

Her confcious tail her joy declar'd;

The fair round face, the fnowy beard,

The velvet of her paws;

Her

Her coat, that with the tortoise vies,

Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes,
She faw; and purr'd applause.

Still had the gaz'd; but 'midst the tide
Two angel forms were feen to glide,

The Genii of the stream:

Their fcaly armour's Tyrian hue,
Thro' richest purple to the view

Betray'd a golden gleam.

The hapless nymph with wonder faw:

A whifker firft, and then a claw,

With many an ardent wifh,

She ftretch'd, in vain, to reach the prize.

What female heart can gold defpife?

What cat's averfe to fish?

Prefump

Prefumptuous maid! with looks intent
Again she stretch'd, again she bent,
Nor knew the gulph between :
(Malignant Fate fat by, and smil❜d)
The flipp'ry verge her feet beguil'd,
She tumbled headlong in.

Eight times emerging from the flood
She mew'd to ev'ry wat'ry God,

Some speedy aid to fend.

No Dolphin came, no Nereid ftirr'd,
Nor cruel Tom, nor Sufan heard.

A fav'rite has no friend!

From hence, ye beauties, undeceiv'd,
Know, one false step is ne'er retriev'd,

And be with caution bold.

Not

Not all that tempts your wand'ring eyes,

And heedless hearts, is lawful prize;
Nor all that glifters, gold.

ODE

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