While he the shepherdess charms, Python he lays in the dust. ----- WHAT is merciful censure? To make thy faults appear smaller? May be to veil them? No, no! O'er them to raise thee on high! ----- DEMOCRATIC food soon cloys on the multitude's stomach; But I'll wager, ere long, other thou'lt give them instead. ----- WHAT in France has pass'd by, the Germans continue to practise, For the proudest of men flatters the people and fawns. ----- WHO is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, And in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. ----- NOT in the morning alone, not only at mid-day he charmeth; Even at setting, the sun is still the same glorious planet. ----- VENETIAN EPIGRAMS. (Written in 1790.) ----- URN and sarcophagus erst were with life adorn'd by the heathen Fauns are dancing around, while with the Bacchanal troop Chequerd circles they trace; and the goat-footed, puffy-cheekd player Wildly produceth hoarse tones out of the clamorous horn. Cymbals and drums resound; we see and we hear, too, the marble. Fluttering bird! oh how sweet tastes the ripe fruit to thy bill! Noise there is none to disturb thee, still less to scare away Amor, Who, in the midst of the throng, learns to delight in his torch. Thus doth fullness overcome death; and the ashes there cover'd Seem, in that silent domain, still to be gladdend with life. Thus may the minstrel's sarcophagus be hereafter surrounded With such a scroll, which himself richly with life has adorn'd. ----- CLASP'D in my arms for ever eagerly hold I my mistress, Ever my panting heart throbs wildly against her dear breast, And on her knees forever is leaning my head, while I'm gazing Now on her sweet-smiling mouth, now on her bright sparkling eyes. "Oh thou effeminate!" spake one, "and thus, then, thy days thou art spending?" Ah, they in sorrow are spent. List while I tell thee my tale: Yes! I have left my only joy in life far behind me, Twenty long days hath my car borne me away from her sight. Vettrini defy me, while crafty chamberlains flatter, And the sly Valet de place thinks but of lies and deceit. If I attempt to escape, the Postmaster fastens upon me, Postboys the upper hand get, custom-house duties enrage. "Truly, I can't understand thee! thou talkest enigmas! thou seemest Wrapp'd in a blissful repose, glad as Rinaldo of yore: Ah, I myself understand full well; 'tis my body that travels, And 'tis my spirit that rests still in my mistress's arms. ----- I WOULD liken this gondola unto the soft-rocking cradle, And the chest on its deck seems a vast coffin to be. Yes! 'tween the cradle and coffin, we totter and waver for ever On the mighty canal, careless our lifetime is spent. ----- WHY are the people thus busily moving? For food they are seeking, Children they fain would beget, feeding them well as they can. Traveller, mark this well, and when thou art home, do thou likewise!