LXXVII.

TO A LADY,

WITH A PRESENT OF A PAIR OF DRINKING-GLASSES.

[To Mrs. M'Lehose, of Edinburgh, the poet presented the drinking-glasses alluded to in the verses: they are, it seems, still preserved, and the lady on occasions of high festival, indulges, it is said, favourite visiters with a draught from them of "The blood of Shiraz' scorched vine."]

Fair Empress of the Poet's soul, And Queen of Poetesses; Clarinda, take this little boon, This humble pair of glasses.

And fill them high with generous juice, As generous as your mind; And pledge me in the generous toast-- "The whole of human kind!"

"To those who love us!"--second fill; But not to those whom we love; Lest we love those who love not us!-- A third--"to thee and me, love!"

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