"Say busy, lively, trembling, hopping thing,
" What new disaster hast thou now to bring,
"To torture with thy fears my tender frame,
" Who must for all her ills thee only blame?
"Speak now, and tell me why, ungrateful guest
" For ten years past hast thou denied me rest?
"That in my Bosom thou wast nurs'd tis true,
" And with my Life and with my Stature grew.
"At first so small were all thy wants, that I
" Vainly imagin'd I cou'd ne'er deny
"Whate'er thy fancy ask'd — Alas! but now
" I find thy wants my ev'ry sense outgrow;
"And ever having, ever wanting more,
" A power to please, to give, or to adore.
"Say, why like other Hearts dost thou not bear
" With callous apathy each worldly care?
"Why dost thou shriek at Envy's horrid cries?
" In thee Compassion, Hatred's place supplies,
"Why not with malice treat malicious Men?
" Why ever pity when thou shou'dst condemn?
"Why, at the hearing of a dismal tale,
" Dost thou with sorrow turn my Beauty pale?
"Why, when distress in any shape appears,
" Dost thou dissolve my very soul in Tears?
"Why in thy secret folds is Friendship bred?
" In other hearts its very name is dead.
"Why, if keen Wit and learned Sense draw nigh
" Dost thou with emulation beat so high?
"And while approving, wish to be approv'd?
" And when you love, wish more to be belov'd?
"Why not, in cold indifference ever clad,
" Alike, unmov'd, regard the good and bad?
"Why dost thou waste my youthful bloom with care,
" And sacrifice myself, that I may share
"Distress in others? why wilt thou adorn
" Their days with roses and leave me a thorn? "