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When any mournful tune you hear,
That dies in every note,

As if it sigh'd with each man's care
For being so remote :

Think then, how often love we've made
To you, when all those tunes were play'd.
With a fa, &c.

In justice you cannot refuse

To think of our distress,

When we for hopes of honour lose
Our certain happiness ;

All those designs are but to prove
Ourselves more worthy of your love.
With a fa, &c.

And now we've told you all our loves,
And likewise all our fears,

In hopes this declaration moves

Some pity for our tears;

Let's hear of no inconstancy,

We have too much of that at sea.

With a fa la, la, la, la.

THE BLIND BOY.

COLLEY CIBBER.-1671-1757.

[ACTOR and dramatist, son of Gabriel Cibber, the sculptor, Colley Cibber was born in London, and educated at Grantham; he entered the army, but left it at a very early age for the stage, where he was exceedingly popular as an actor, especially in the performance of many of his own compositions. He also held the appointment of Poet Laureate.]

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SAY what is that thing call'd Light,

Which I must ne'er enjoy;

What are the blessings of the sight,
O tell your poor blind boy!

You talk of wondrous things you see
You say the sun shines bright;
I feel him warm, but how can he
Or make it day or night?

My day or night myself I make
Whene'er I sleep or play;
And could I ever keep awake
With me 'twere always day.

With heavy sighs I often hear
You mourn my hapless woe;
But sure with patience I can bear
A loss I ne'er can know.

Then let not what I cannot have
My cheer of mind destroy:
Whilst thus I sing, I am a king,
Although a poor blind boy.

TO MISS CHARLOTTE PULTENEY,

IN HER MOTHER'S ARMS.

AMBROSE PHILLIPS.-1675-1749.

[POET and dramatist, Ambrose Phillips was a native of Leicestershire, and an associate of Steele and Addison. Although known to fame for his vers de Société, most of it is now forgotten. This little poem, and two of a similar character addressed to the children of Mrs. Carteret, are worth preserving, the one here given especially. Phillips' style has often been parodied by wits, the lines of J. H. Browne, beginning "Little tube of mighty power," is an example of clever parody. At the time of his death, Phillips was registrar of the Irish Prerogative Court.]

TIMELY blossom, Infant fair,

Fondling of a happy pair,

Every morn and every night
Their solicitous delight,

Sleeping, waking, still at ease,
Pleasing, without skill to please ;

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Little gossip, blithe and hale,
Tattling many a broken tale,
Singing many a tuneless song,
Lavish of a heedless tongue;
Simple maiden, void of art,
Babbling out the very heart,
Yet abandon'd to thy will,
Yet imagining no ill,

Yet too innocent to blush;
Like the linnet in the bush
To the mother-linnet's note
Moduling her slender throat;
Chirping forth thy petty joys,
Wanton in the change of toys,
Like the linnet green, in May
Flitting to each bloomy spray;
Wearied then and glad of rest,
Like the linnet in the nest :-
This thy present happy lot,
This, in time will be forgot:
Other pleasures, other cares,
Ever-busy Time prepares;

And thou shalt in thy daughter see,
This picture, once, resembled thee.

THE SPLENDID SHILLING.

BY JOHN PHILIPS.-1676-1708.

[JOHN PHILIPS was born at Bampton, in Oxfordshire, in 1676, and was educated at Oxford. He died in 1708.

He is remarkable for his attachment to tobacco, which he mentions in all his pieces but one. His best poem is written "On Cyder," in imitation of the Georgics of Virgil; the following, which is a parody on the style of Milton, has always been very popular.]

HAPPY the man, who, void of care and strife,

In silken or in leathern purse retains

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