Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/554

 Presumptuous Maid! with looks intent Again she stretch'd, again she bent, Nor knew the gulf between. (Malignant Fate sat by, and smiled.) The slipp'ry verge her feet beguiled, She tumbled headlong in.

Eight times emerging from the flood She mew'd to ev'ry wat'ry god, Some speedy aid to send. No Dolphin came, no Nereid stirr'd: Nor cruel Tom, nor Susan heard. A Fav'rite has no friend! 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. WILLIAM COLLINS 1721-1759   457. Ode to Simplicity

O thou, by Nature taught To breathe her genuine thought In numbers warmly pure and sweetly strong: Who first on mountains wild, In Fancy, loveliest child, Thy babe and Pleasure's, nursed the pow'rs of song!