ighly delighted.
But as for the _Writer_--alas! they as soon
Cou'd have told them the name of the Man in the Moon:
And the TURKEY-COCK'S SPOUSE her Guests calmly entreated,
To quit the pursuit, and be quietly seated.

But all wou'd not do; so, by way of excuse,
They pleaded a visit to good MOTHER GOOSE;
Who near, on a common, _en passant_, they saw, [p 26]
And had heard she had lately come out of the straw.
But the GOOSE of their tale not a word understood,
And still cackled away to her terrified brood;
While immers'd in a pond, to complete their ill luck,
Topsy-turvy appear'd, at a distance, the DUCK!

What _now_ cou'd they do? why, they both persever'd,
While the hope of succeeding their bosoms still cheer'd.
On the WOODCOCK they call'd; on the PARTRIDGE and PHEASANT;
And, killing time thus, thought exceedingly pleasant:
Till grown somewhat weary, in order to rest,
A sandwich they took at the GUINEA-FOWL'S nest.
But how shall we count all the visits they pay,
To the RAVEN, the MAGPIE, the ROOK, and the JAY?
To the FINCHES of fashion, the GOLD and the GREEN,
To the BLACKBIRD, the THRUSH, and the ABERDAVINE?
With a great many more, who were now all so busy, [p 27]
To fix their attention, was not very easy.
The WREN was employ'd in constructing a nest;
And the LINNET had join'd in a song, the REDBREAST:
The BITTERN was gone to the river, to fish,
And procure, before dinner, his favorite dish:
The SWALLOW was building; the HARRIER[3] hunting,
The BANTAM was sitting, and so was the BUNTING.
In vain, then, our Travellers hop'd to obtain
But a word, or a hint, that might soften their pain.
From county to county they thus made their way,
And submitted to all things, except to delay.
From Norfolk they came up to town in a hurry,
And found themselves soon on the borders of Surry.
From thence off to Lincoln, and Heaven knows where, [p 28]
Till they got into Yorkshire, almost in despair:
And well might they feel nearly hopeless, indeed,
When their rambling at last brought them down to the Tweed!

They look'd at each other, in silent dismay,
And the PARROT for once, cou'd not tell what to say!
But, at length, recollecting, they turn'd short about,
Not a single jot wiser, than when they sat out.
Yet their warm bosoms still for the dear secret panted,
And this friend, and that, s