A _Birthday Ode_ for MEG or NAN,
A Rhyme for Lady FLORA’s Fan,
A Verse on _Smut_, who’s gone astray,
These Things are in the _Poet’s_ way;
At Home with praise of JULIA’s Lace,
Or DELIA’s Ankles, ROSE’s Face,
But “Something _overparted_” He,
When asked to rhyme the _jubilee_!
He therefore turns, the _Poet_ wary,
And Thumbs his _Carmen Seculare_,
To PHŒBUS and to DIAN prays,
Who tune Men’s Lyres of Holidays,
He reads of the _Sibylline_ Shades,
Of Stainless Boys and chosen Maids.
He turns, and reads the other Page,
Of docile Youth, and placid Age,
Then Sings how, in this golden Year
_Fides Pudorque_ reappear,—
And if they don’t appear, you know it
Were quite unjust to blame the Poet!
_On any Beach_.