Will of all men be preferr'd; Who ne'er seems as if he knew If he pleases, if he charms,-- He 'tis injures, he 'tis harms. THE CONTENTED. Manifold is human strife, Human passion, human pain; Many a blessing yet is rife, Many pleasures still remain. Yet the greatest bliss in life, And the richest prize we find, Is a good, contented mind. THE MERRY COUNSEL. He by whom man's foolish will Is each day review'd and blamed, Who, when others fools are still, Is himself a fool proclaim'd,-- Ne'er at mill was beast's back press'd With a heavier load than he. What I feel within my breast That in truth's the thing for me! 1789. ----- DIFFERENT EMOTIONS ON THE SAME SPOT. THE MAIDEN. I'VE seen him before me! What rapture steals o'er me! Oh heavenly sight! He's coming to meet me; Perplex'd, I retreat me, With shame take to flight. My mind seems to wander! Ye rocks and trees yonder, Conceal ye my rapture. Conceal my delight! THE YOUTH. 'Tis here I must find her, 'Twas here she enshrined her, Here vanish'd from sight. She came, as to meet me, Then fearing to greet me, With shame took to flight. Is't hope? Do I wander? Ye rocks and trees yonder, Disclose ye the loved one, Disclose my delight! THE LANGUISHING. O'er my sad, fate I sorrow, To each dewy morrow, Veil'd here from man's sight By the many mistaken, Unknown and forsaken, Here I wing my flight! Compassionate spirit! Let none ever hear it,-- Conceal my affliction, Conceal thy delight! THE HUNTER. To-day I'm rewarded; Rich booty's afforded By Fortune so bright. My servant the pheasants, And hares fit for presents Takes homeward at night; Here see I enraptured In nets the birds captured!-- Long life to the hunter! Long live his delight! 1789. ----- WHO'LL BUY GODS OF LOVE? OF all the beauteous wares Exposed for sale at fairs, None will give more delight Than those that to your sight From distant lands we bring. Oh, hark to what we sing! These beauteous birds behold, They're brought here to be sold. And first the big one see, So full of roguish glee! With light and merry bound He leaps upon the ground; Then springs up on the bougd, We will not praise him now. The merry bird behold,-- He's brought here to be sold. And now the small one see! A modest look has he, And yet he's such apother As his big roguish brother. 'Tis chiefly when all's still He loves to show his will. The bird so small and bold,-- He's brought here to be sold. Observe this little love, This darling turtle dove! All maidens are so neat, So civil, so discreet Let them their charms set loose, And turn your love to use; The gentle bird behold,-- She's brought here to be sold. Their praises we won't tell; They'll stand inspection well. They're fond of what is new,-- And yet, to show they're true, Nor seal nor letter's wanted; To all have wings been granted. The pretty birds behold,-- Such beauties ne'er were sold!