| Twas on a lofty vase's side,
|
| Where China's gayest art had dyed
|
| The azure flowers that blow,
|
| Demurest of the tabby kind,
|
| The pensive Selima, reclined,
|
| Gazed on the lake below.
|
|
|
| Her conscious tail her joy declared;
|
| The fair round face, the snowy beard,
|
| The velvet of her paws,
|
| Her coat, that with the tortoise vies,
|
| Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes,
|
| She saw; and purred applause.
|
|
| Still had she gazed; but 'midst the tide
|
| Two angel forms were seen to glide,
|
| The genii of the stream:
|
| Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue
|
| Through richest purple to the view
|
| Betrayed a golden gleam.
|
| The hapless nymph with wonder saw:
|
| A whisker first, and then a claw,
|
| With many an ardent wish,
|
| She stretched, in vain, to reach the prize.
|
| What female heart can gold despise?
|
| What cat's averse to fish?
|
|
| Presumptuous maid! with looks intent
|
| Again she stretched, again she bent,
|
| Nor knew the gulf between:
|
| (Malignant Fate sat by, and smiled)
|
| The slippery verge her feet beguiled,
|
| She tumbled headlong in.
|
| From hence, ye beauties undeceived,
|
| Know, one false step is ne'er retrieved,
|
| And be with caution bold.
|
| Not all that tempts your wand'ring eyes
|
| And heedless hearts is lawful prize;
|
| Nor all that glisters, gold.
|
|
