50

ODE ON THE DEATH

Her coat, that with the tortoise vies,
Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes,
She faw; and purr'd applaufe.

Still had the gaz'd; but 'midst the tide
Two angel forms were seen to glide,
The Genii of the stream :
Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue,
Thro' richeft purple to the view
Betray'd a golden gleam.

The hapleſs nymph with wonder faw :
A whifker firſt, and then a claw,
With many an ardent wifh,
She ſtretch'd, in vain, to reach the prize.
What female heart can gold deſpife ?
What cat's avertè to ſiſh ?

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