NEVER rear'd a young gazelle,

(Because, you see, I never tried;)

But, had it known and loved me well,

No doubt the creature would have died.

My rich and aged uncle John

Has known me long and loves me well,

But still persists in living on—

I would he were a young gazelle.

I never loved a tree or flower;

But, if I had, I beg to say,

The blight, the wind, the sun, or shower,

Would soon have wither'd it away.

I 've dearly loved my uncle JOHN,

From childhood till the present hour,

And yet he will go living on—

I would he were a tree or flower!