234 SELECT POETRY

But goes the male? Far wiser he
Is doubtless left behind.

No :—soon as from ashore he saw
The winged mansion move,

He flew to reach it, by a law
Of never-failing love;

Then perching at his consort’s side,
Was briskly borne along;

The billows and the blasts defied,
And cheered her with a song.

The seaman, with sincere delight,
His feathered shipmate eyes;

Scarce less exulting in the sight
Than when he tows a prize.

For seamen much believe in signs,
And, from a chance so new,

Each some approaching good divines 3!
And may his hopes be true !

Hail, birds! who, rather than resign
Your matrimonial plan,

Were not afraid to plough the brine,
In company with man.

Be it your fortune, year by year,
The same resource to prove ;
And may ye, sometimes landing here,
Instruct us how to love!
Cowper.

1 Divines—guesses, foretells.