Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/586

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568
Epigrams.

On the Wedding Ring.

This precious emblem well doth represent
'Tis evenness that crowns us with content,
Which, when it wanting is, the sacred yoke
Becomes uneasy, and with ease is broke.

To a Bad Fiddler.

Old Orpheus played so well he moved Old Nick,
But thou moved nothing but thy fiddlestick.

You beat your brow and fancy wit will come;
Knock as you please, there's nobody at home.

Pins.

See a pin and pick it up,
All the day you'll have good luck.

See a pin and let it lay,
Bad luck you'll have all the day.

The Rose.

As the rose of the valley, when dripping with dew,
Is the sweetest in odour, and brightest in hue:
So the glance of dear woman most lovely appears,
When it beams from her eloquent eye through her tears.

The Cupbearer.

(From the Arabic.)

Come, Leila, fill the goblet up,
Reach round the rosy wine,
Think not that we will take the cup,
From any hand but thine.
A draught like this 'twere vain to seek,
No grape can such supply,
It steals its tint from Leila's cheek,
Its brightness from her eye.