CATHARINA.

ADDRESSED TO MISS STAPLETON,

(AFTERWARD MRS. COURTNEY.

SHE came-she is gone-we have met-
And meet perhaps never again;
The sun of that moment is set,

And seems to have risen in vain.
Catharina has fled like a dream---
(So vanishes pleasure, alas!)
But has left a regret and esteem,
That will not so suddenly pass.
The last evening ramble we made,-
Catharina, Maria, and I,

Our progress was often delay'd

By the nightingale warbl.ng nigh. We paused under many a tree,

And much she was charm'd with a tone

Less sweet to Maria and me,

Who so lately had witness'd her own.

My numbers that day she had sung,
And gave them a grace so divine,

As only her musical tongue

Could infuse into numbers of mine. The longer I heard, I esteem'd

The work of my fancy the more,
And e'en to myself never seem'd
So tuneful a poet before.

Though the pleasures of London exceed
In number the days of the year,
Catharina, did nothing impede,

Would feel herself happier here:
For the close-woven arches of limes
On the banks of our river, I know,
Are sweeter to her many times

Than aught that the city can shew