288
Tixall Poetry.
By stately motion girding through the waves,
A posture that commands a look, not craves.
Their feet the oares, by which they steered aright,
But plac'd by Nature kindly out of sight.
With these in state they oft to shore did row,
Where creatures kind did food on them bestow.
But nere more proud than when the vizard maske,
And long wel-spread black scarfe performed that taske.
For contraries with greatest lustre shine,
When by position close they nearest joyne.
But oh! sad hap to this long happy payre!
A hand employ'd in this kind practis'd care,
A hand, by chance, or purpose, now unveil'd,
Shew'd farr more white than all their stock could yield.
Which seene, downe fell the snowey sailes, their wings;
Each huffing feather now more closely clings.
Noe food would downe, but sick, and quite undone,
What they could not excell they wisely shunn.
Away they fly, and in close covert hide
Their shame, to be outdone in all their pride.
A posture that commands a look, not craves.
Their feet the oares, by which they steered aright,
But plac'd by Nature kindly out of sight.
With these in state they oft to shore did row,
Where creatures kind did food on them bestow.
But nere more proud than when the vizard maske,
And long wel-spread black scarfe performed that taske.
For contraries with greatest lustre shine,
When by position close they nearest joyne.
But oh! sad hap to this long happy payre!
A hand employ'd in this kind practis'd care,
A hand, by chance, or purpose, now unveil'd,
Shew'd farr more white than all their stock could yield.
Which seene, downe fell the snowey sailes, their wings;
Each huffing feather now more closely clings.
Noe food would downe, but sick, and quite undone,
What they could not excell they wisely shunn.
Away they fly, and in close covert hide
Their shame, to be outdone in all their pride.
