HAPPY insect! ever blest | |
| With a more than mortal rest, | |
| Rosy dews the leaves among, | |
| Humble joys, and gentle song! | |
| Wretched poet! ever curst | 5 |
| With a life of lives the worst, | |
| Sad despondence, restless fears, | |
| Endless jealousies and tears. | |
| In the burning summer thou | |
| Warblest on the verdant bough, | 10 |
| Meditating cheerful play, | |
| Mindless of the piercing ray; | |
| Scorched in Cupid’s fervors, I | |
| Ever weep and ever die. | |
| Proud to gratify thy will, | 15 |
| Ready Nature waits thee still; | |
| Balmy wines to thee she pours, | |
| Weeping through the dewy flowers, | |
| Rich as those by Hebe given | |
| To the thirsty sons of heaven. | 20 |
| Yet, alas, we both agree. | |
| Miserable thou like me! | |
| Each, alike, in youth rehearses | |
| Gentle strains and tender verses; | |
| Ever wandering far from home, | 25 |
| Mindless of the days to come | |
| (Such as aged Winter brings | |
| Trembling on his icy wings), | |
| Both alike at last we die; | |
| Thou art starved, and so am I! | 30 |
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