Quando fuit melior tyro, meliorve magistra! Quando duo ingeniis tam coiere pares! Ardua discenti nulla est, res nulla docenti Ardua! cum doceat fœmina, discat avis. IV. THE PARROT. TRANSLATION OF THE FOREGOING. IN painted plumes superbly dressed, Poll gains at length the British shore, Belinda's maids are soon preferred, But 'tis her own important charge, Sweet Poll! his doating mistress cries, She next instructs him in the kiss; At first he aims at what he hears; Much to th' amusement of the crowd, And stuns the neighbours round. A querulous old woman's voice And now he sings, and now is sick, Belinda and her bird! 'tis rare To meet with such a well-matched pair, When children first begin to spell, We think them tedious creatures; But difficulties soon abate, When birds are to be taught to prate, TRANSLATION OF PRIOR'S CHLOE AND EUPHELIA. MERCATOR, Vigiles oculos ut fallere possit, Nomine sub ficto trans mare mittit opes; Lene sonat liquidumque meis Euphelia chordis, Sed solam exoptant te, mea vota, Chloe. Ad speculum ornabat nitidos Euphelia crines, Cum dixit mea lux, Heus, cane, sume lyram. Namque lyram juxta positam cum carmine vidit, Suave quidem carmen dulcisonamque lyram. Fila lyræ vocemque paro, suspiria surgunt, Subrubet illa pudore, et contrahit altera frontem, THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN; Showing how he went farther than he intended, and came safe home again. JOHN GILPIN was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, To-morrow is our wedding-day My sister and my sister's child, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride He soon replied, I do admire, And you are she, my dearest dear, I am a linen-draper bold, As all the world doth know, Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, That's well said; We will be furnished with our own, John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, The morning came, the chaise was brought, To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stayed, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, The stones did rattle underneath, John Gilpin at his horse's side For saddletree scarce reached had he, When, turning round his head, he saw So down he came; for loss of time, "Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty screaming came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!" Good lack! quoth he-yet bring it me, In which I bear my trusty sword, Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Each bottle had a curling ear, Then over all, that he might be His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, With caution and good heed. |