240

SELECT POETRY

Beneath the celebrated dome,

Where once Sir Jsaac had his home,

Who saw not (and with some delight

Perhaps reviewed the novel sight)

How numerous, at the tables there,

The sparrows beg their daily fare.

For there, in every nook and cell,

Where such a family may dwell,

Sure as the vernal season comes

Their nest they weave in hope of crumbs,

Which, kindly given, may serve with food

Convenient their unfeathered brood 5

And oft, as with its summons clear

The warning bell salutes their ear,

Sagacious listeners to the sound,

They flock from all the fields around,

To reach the hospitable hall,

None more attentive to the call.

Arrived, the pensionary? band,

Hopping and chirping close at hand,

Solicit what they soon receive,

The sprinkled, plenteous donative.®

Thus is a multitude, though large,

Supported at a trivial charge ;

A single doit4 would overpay

The expenditure of every day,

And who can grudge so small a grace

To suppliants, natives of the place P
Cowper

1 Sir Isaac Newton studied at Trinity College, Cambridge.
* Pensionary—depending on a pension,or stated allowance.
3 Donative—gift,

* Doit—a small coin, no longer in use.