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The Hind and the Panther.
69
The pledge of his Almighty patron's love,
The fire-works which his angel made above.
I saw my self the lambent easie lightPoëta loquitur.
Guild the brown horrour and dispell the night;
The messenger with speed the tidings bore;
News which three lab'ring nations did restore,
But heav'ns own Nuntius was arriv'd before.

By this, the Hind had reach'd her lonely cell;
And vapours rose, and dews unwholesome fell.
When she, by frequent observation wise,
As one who long on heav'n had fix'd her eyes,
Discern'd a change of weather in the skyes.
The Western borders were with crimson spread,
The moon descending look'd all flaming red;
She thought good manners bound her to invite
The stranger Dame to be her guest that night.
'Tis true, course dyct and a short repast,
(She said) were weak inducements to the tast
Of one so nicely bred, and so unus'd to fast.

But