to miss cruickshank

a very young lady

written on the blank leaf of a book, presented to her by the author.

beauteous rosebud, young and gay,

blooming in thy early may,

never may'st thou, lovely flower,

chilly shrink in sleety shower!

never boreas' hoary path,

never eurus' pois'nous breath,

never baleful stellar lights,

taint thee with untimely blights!

never, never reptile thief

riot on thy virgin leaf!