Relating idly, at the closing eve,

The youthful follies he disdains to leave;

370

Till youthful follies wake a transient fire,

When arm in arm they totter and retire.

So a fond pair of solemn birds, all day,

Blink in their seat and doze the hours away;

Then, by the moon awaken'd, forth they move,

And fright the songsters with their cheerless love.

So two sear trees, dry, stunted, and unsound,