Poems (Davidson)/Lines, written under the Promise of Reward

by Lucretia Maria Davidson

LINES,

 

WRITTEN UNDER THE PROMISE OF REWARD.

Whene'er the Muse pleases to grace my dull page,
At the sight of reward, she flies off in a rage;
Prayers, threats, and entreaties I frequently try,
But she leaves me to scribble, to fret, and to sigh.

She torments me each moment, and bids me go write,
And when I obey her, she laughs at the sight;
The rhyme will not jingle, the verse has no sense,
And against all her insults I have no defense.

I advise all my friends, who wish me to write,
To keep their rewards and their praises from sight;
So that jealous Miss Muse won't be wounded in pride,
Nor Pegasus rear, till I've taken my ride.