200 SELECT POETRY

Now let us sing, “ Long live the king !!
And Gilpin long live he !”
And when he next doth ride abroad,
May I be there to see !
Cowper,

 

THE PINE-APPLES AND THE BEE.

THE pine-apples, in triple row,

Were basking hot, and all in blow;

A bee of most discerning taste
Perceived the fragrance as he passed ;
On eager wing the spoiler came,

And searched for crannies in the frame,
Urged his attempt on every side,

‘To every pane his trunk applied ;

But still in vain—the frame was tight,
And only pervious? to the light :
Thus having wasted half the day,

He trimmed his flight another way.

Our dear delights are often such,
Exposed to view, but not to touch :
The sight our foolish heart inflames,
We long for pine-apples in frames:
With hopeless wish, one looks and lingers ;
One breaks the glass, and cuts his fingers ;
But those whom truth and wisdom lead,
Can gather honey from a weed.

Cowper

1 This was written in George the Third’e reign.
2 Pervious—giving passage.