The Virginia Gazette

POETS
CORNER

The CHERRY.

WAS passing by a Country fair,
A Cherry mounted high in Air
I saw, but, with Surprise,
An eager Youth oft strove, in vain,
To catch the fond evanishng Gain,
That every Leap denies.

Thrice touch'd his Lips, the lively Hue
As oft the blooming Tangler flew,
And disappoints his Aim;
Still cut by Birth th'unwanton Boy
Grasp'd at the fleet bewitching Toy,
Nor felt his rising Shame.

With doubled Vigor strives once more,
Till Nature cries, "You must give o'er,
"Tis empty Sport at best;
With ardent Limbs fatigu'd at length,
He found the Prize above his Strength,
And sat him down to Rest.

Just so(by Way of Simile)
Man crown'd with riper Years we see,
Throw swift-wing'd Time away;
Some glittering Object, ever new,
Arises suddenly to View,
Each swift revolving Day.

Some gilded Cherry forms the Bait,
His ardent Wishes to create,
Then his Pursuit evades;
Still Man involv'd in empty Care,
The Bubble knows not to forbear,
Till Death expands his Shades.

What though he gains the empty Prize,
When all his Hopes are flown,
Dissatisfaction still replies.
"The Cherry has a Stone."