A PRESCRIPTION FOR A CONSUMPTIVE. My dear Miss Leveson, your cough Appears so terribly distressing, – Nor use aright the local dressing. Do take a larger dose of one, Nor disregard the rubefacient ; That thus I may rely upon The full concurrence of my patient. Eat, though in a repining mood, Nor cultivate a taste capricious, But banquet on the simplest food As if it were the most delicious. As early as you can retire To rest, at this inclement season, And let it be your sole desire To grow alike in strength and reason. THE SWIFT. LEAVING the birds of humble flight, My curious gaze, to mark the height See him endowed with nervous power, And corresponding length of wing, To sail above the loftiest tower, And mockery on its grandeur fling Now darting on with matchless speed, In search of his aërial prey, Then wheeling, as his course shall need, He chases through the longest day. R The fervid morn and sultry eve His wildest notes of mirth inspire, When congregating parties cleave The air as with electric fire. A thousand miles in glad career Then hiding in the twilight drear, His form the watchful sight eludes. Guided alone by Nature's hand, He waits his own appointed time, And having charmed this smiling land, Shoots onward to a lovelier clime. WHILE thousands of Thy followers crowd The temples where Thy name is heard, And all with exultation loud Are praising Thee in heart and word, Let me, O Lord! alike sincere, Invoke Thy aid, and feel Thee near. Though now in dire disease and death Thy judgments in the earth are seen, Thou hast prolonged my vital breath, And Thou my sure defence hast been: How can I, Lord, proclaim aright Thy love, Thy mercy, and Thy might! |