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diff --git a/old/65677-0.txt b/old/65677-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5c3c44d..0000000 --- a/old/65677-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5632 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Fables of Flowers for the Female Sex, by -John Huddlestone Wynne - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Fables of Flowers for the Female Sex - With Zephyrus and Flora, a Vision - -Author: John Huddlestone Wynne - -Release Date: June 23, 2021 [eBook #65677] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive/American - Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FABLES OF FLOWERS FOR THE FEMALE -SEX *** - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes: - - Underscores “_” before and after a word or phrase indicate _italics_ - in the original text. - Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals. - Old or antiquated spellings have been preserved. - Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected. - - - - - FABLES - OF - FLOWERS, - FOR - THE FEMALE SEX. - WITH - ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA, - A VISION. - - WRITTEN FOR THE AMUSEMENT OF - HER HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL - - BY THE AUTHOR OF THE CHOICE EMBLEMS, &C. &C. - - NATURE here - Wantons as in her prime, and plays at will - Her virgin fancies. - MILTON. - - LONDON: - PRINTED FOR GEORGE RILEY, BOOKSELLER, - IN CURZON-STREET, MAY-FAIR. - - AND SOLD BY - JOHN WILKIE, ST. PAUL’S-CHURCH-YARD. - MDCCLXXIII. - - - - - TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE - LADY CHARLOTTE FINCH. - - THESE NEW FABLES - WRITTEN FOR THE AMUSEMENT - OF - HER HIGHNESS, - - CHARLOTTE, - PRINCESS ROYAL OF ENGLAND. - - ARE MOST HUMBLY DEDICATED BY - HER LADYSHIP’S - MOST HUMBLE - AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, - - THE AUTHOR. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -When I survey the divine simplicity and blooming attractions, that are -displayed amongst the variegated tribes of the vegetable creation, I -cease to wonder, that _Queens forego, for a while, the compliments of -a nation, or withdraw from the glitter of a_ COURT, _to be attended -with the more splendid_ EQUIPAGE _of a_ BED _of_ FLOWERS; where nothing -seems wanting but the power of _speech_, to make them become the most -pleasing Monitors. - -How far the Author of the following Fables, written for the amusement -of an exalted Personage, may have succeeded, in descriptive fancy, as -a poet: it is hoped, that, the moral and refined admonitions which may -be found to breathe, from the fragrant bosom of a silver-robed Lily, or -a blooming Jonquil, will throw a veil over any poetical inaccuracies; -_for who can paint like Nature?_ - -As to the novelty of the plan, I cannot but hold myself, in a great -measure, indebted to an ingenious Lady[1], well known in the literary -world. And can only say, that I have found both health and recreation -in the completion of it; by sharing some of the sweetest hours of -contemplation, among the lovely subjects of the following pages. - - THE AUTHOR. - -[1] The author of The Vizlis: or Enchanted Labyrinth; an Oriental -Tale, 3 Vols.—Wherein describes with great taste and fancy, the -different passions that are subject to misguide the warm and expanded -imagination, of Youth by the Flowers they make choice of in the -Labyrinth. - - - - -TABLE OF CONTENTS. - - - Page. - - ZEPHYRUS and FLORA 1 - - FABLE I. - The Hollyhock and Lily of the Vale 24 - - II. - The Aloe in Blossom 31 - - III. - The Rose and Hornet 37 - - IV. - The Sensitive Plant 42 - - V. - The Hawthorn and the Primrose 47 - - VI. - The White Rose and the Red 53 - - VII. - The Crocus 59 - - VIII. - The Anemone and the Passion Flower 64 - - IX. - The Lily and Narcissus 69 - - X. - The Ivy and Sweet Briar 73 - - XI. - The Violet Transplanted 77 - - XII. - The Tulip and the Amaranth 81 - - XIII. - The Honey Succkle and Youth 87 - - XIV. - Belinda and the Blue-Bell 92 - - XV. - The Larkspur and the Myrtle 97 - - XVI. - The Poppy and the Sun-Flower 102 - - XVII. - The Iris and the Rose 109 - - XVIII. - The Nasturtium and the Wall Flower 113 - - XIX. - The Traveller and Lapland Rose 119 - - XX. - The Deadly Night Shade 124 - - XXI. - The Crown Imperial and Hearts Ease 129 - - XXII. - The Water Lily 133 - - XXIII. - The Funeral Flowers and the Lover 137 - - XXIV. - The Field and Garden Daisy 142 - - XXV. - The Pinks and Arbutus 147 - - XXVI. - The Cockscomb and Sweet William 153 - - XXVII. - The Jasmine and Hemlock 157 - - XXVIII. - The Carnation and Southernwood 161 - - XXIX. - The Rosemary and Field Flower 165 - - XXX. - The Judgment of the Flowers 169 - - - - -ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA: A VISION. - - -[Illustration] - -I. - - As late I wander’d o’er the flow’ry plain, - Where Cambrian Cluyd pours his silver tide, - Amidst the pleasures of fair Plenty’s reign, - And blushing flow’rs and fruits on ev’ry side: - - -II. - - Soft sigh’d the west winds, murm’ring o’er the dale, - Whose ev’ry charm rose fresher from the breeze; - The lofty hills more boldly kiss’d the gale, - Which skimm’d their tops, and shook the wavy trees. - - -III. - - The sun descending, shot his golden beams - Askance, with many a cloud his ev’ning throne - Adorn’d; while mountains, woods, and lucent streams, - With the last blushes of his radiance shone. - - -IV. - - Far stretching hence, Cambria’s rough heights I view, - Where Liberty long since forlorn retir’d, - Left fairer climes, and skies of brighter hue, - And, but at last, triumphantly expir’d: - - -V. - - And wide around me wound the fertile vale[2], - Fit theme and subject of the poet’s song; - Whose num’rous beauties load the passing gale, - Whose breath repeats them, as it glides along. - -[2] The Vale of Cluyd. - - -VI. - - Bright Phœbus sunk, dim twilight now succeeds, - Still gleaming dubious with uncertain ray, - While tremblingly among the vocal reeds - The ev’ning breezes still more faintly play. - - -VII. - - Amid this beauteous, soft, and flow’ry scene, - On a high bank, all listless, I reclin’d; - Whose shelving sides were crown’d with lively green, - By tufted trees and bord’ring flow’rs confin’d. - - -VIII. - - Here, while the landscape faded on my sight, - Wild Fancy’s eye still brighter scenes supply’d; - I view’d not the last track of parting light, - Nor mark’d the fanning breezes as they dy’d. - - -IX. - - At length, Imagination, roving maid, - Though gentle sleep had fetter’d all my pow’rs - In golden chains, my busy soul convey’d - To other landscapes and immortal bow’rs. - - -X. - - Methought I stood amidst a garden fair, - Whose bounds no sight of mortal eye could trace, - Situate mid-way, betwixt earth, seas, and air, - Unmark’d by Time, uncircumscrib’d by Space. - - -XI. - - Not half so sweet was that delightsome dale, - Which to my waking view appear’d so bright; - For _here_ did never-ceasing suns prevail, - With mildest sweetness temp’ring heav’nly light. - - -XII. - - Spring breath’d eternal glories o’er the land: - And gentlest winds, o’er fragrant lawns that blow, - Nurs’d beauteous buds unset by mortal hand, - And op’ning flow’rs that without planting grow. - - -XIII. - - Serene the heav’ns, save where a cloudy shrine, - Big with cœlestial plenty, sail’d on high, - Show’r’d Spring’s own roses from her seat divine, - And drew a purple radiance o’er the sky. - - -XIV. - - Meanwhile, soft music echoing from each grove, - Tun’d to enchanting notes most soft and clear, - That breath’d the soul of harmony and love, - Thrill’d the rapt breast, and charm’d the list’ning ear. - - -XV. - - And still the while, with voices loud and sweet, - The warbling birds in dulcet concert join’d, - The waters murm’ring flow with cadence meet, - “Low answer’d by the gently whisp’ring wind.” - - -XVI. - - These themes of wonder silent I survey’d, - Attentive hanging on each dying sound; - Pleas’d with the glories which I saw display’d, - And scenes of joy and pleasure op’ning round. - - -XVII. - - Yet still methought a certain want appear’d, - Of some to own this spot, so heav’nly fair, - Else were each charming flow’ret vainly rear’d, - “To bloom unnotic’d to the desart air:” - - -XVIII. - - Else, were in vain these soft melodious strains, - Which the whole soul of harmony inspir’d, - Pour’d to the wild woods and the lonely plains, - Though worthiest still by all to be admir’d. - - -XIX. - - Such were creation’s first imperfect hours, - When the gay heav’ns in early beauty shone, - And earth, bedeck’d with beasts, birds, plants, and flow’rs, - Spread all her bosom to the genial sun; - - -XX. - - Unfinish’d still the mighty work appear’d, - Till Man, the lord of all, was bid to rise; - With open brow his face divine who rear’d, - And sought with upright look his native skies. - - -XXI. - - Thus as I paus’d, still louder swell’d the notes, - From ev’ry bush, and brake, and echoing hill; - While choirs cœlestial seem’d to tune their throats, - And, with glad voice the chearful chorus fill. - - -XXII. - - Then, by some magic pow’r swift snatch’d away, - Ev’n to the midst of that delightful land, - I view’d at once all clad in bright array, - A thousand Genii of the gardens stand. - - -XXIII. - - But far above all these a seat was plac’d, - Dress’d with each flow’r that ev’ry season knows, - Whose vary’d tints, in gem-like order, grac’d - The rural theatre which gradual rose. - - -XXIV. - - For lo! the Genius of each blooming flow’r - Brought his own fav’rite with peculiar care, - To deck the arch of this inchanted bow’r, - And, bowing at the throne, he plac’d it there. - - -XXV. - - A sight more beauteous ne’er did eye behold, - Than these bright tribes that glitter’d on the day; - And, rich in purple dyes and flaming gold, - Did their bright bosoms to the sun display. - - -XXVI. - - Such was the throne;—but oh! what pen can trace - The heav’nly beauties of the matchless Two, - Who, glowing with each bright cœlestial grace, - Sat there aloft, conspicuous to the view! - - -XXVII. - - The first, a youth of sweet and gentle mien, - With many a wreath and knotted garland crown’d; - Whose beauteous visage glow’d with charms serene, - And on whose shoulders purple wings were bound: - - -XXVIII. - - These when he spreads, reviving Nature pours - Her copious treasures of immortal bloom; - Whilst through vast realms he scatters vernal stores, - And from his downy pinions shakes perfume. - - -XXIX. - - His name was ZEPHYRUS; and next him sat - The beauteous goddess of the blooming year, - The constant partner of his rural state, - To heav’n and earth, to gods and mortals dear; - - -XXX. - - FLORA, bright pow’r, who sheds a thousand sweets - O’er thousand lands, what time her gifts appear, - What time her consort with his kisses greets - Her coral lips, and wakes the rising year. - - -XXXI. - - Her beauteous face was deck’d with youthful pride, - Her graceful form in flamy robes was dress’d; - And ev’ry charm wild Nature could provide, - Adorn’d her head, and beam’d upon her breast. - - -XXXII. - - Beside the throne, rang’d in fair order, stood - The various Seasons of the rolling year; - By all their train of months, weeks, days, pursu’d: - And all their various symbols flourish’d here. - - -XXXIII. - - First came the SPRING, led by the rosy Hours, - With all the Loves and Graces in her train; - Deck’d with her wreath of never-fading flow’rs, - Diffusing odours o’er the smiling plain. - - -XXXIV. - - Next SUMMER came; his cheeks with ardour fir’d, - With his own blushing fruits and harvests crown’d; - Before whose face the infant Spring retir’d, - And with her roses strew’d the russet ground. - - -XXXV. - - Stain’d with the grape’s press’d juice, with steadier pace, - Still looking backward on preceding time, - Ripe AUTUMN next succeeded in his place; - Scatt’ring rich fruits, the growth of ev’ry clime. - - -XXXVI. - - Last WINTER comes, with heavy step and flow, - A hoary captive bound in icy chains; - With haggard eyes, and mantle dipp’d in snow, - Who still of cold in Spring’s own realms complains. - - -XXXVII. - - Not one of these, but from their various store - Some off’ring meet to lovely Flora pay; - Not one of these, but with that off’ring more, - And her soft reign most willingly obey. - - -XXXVIII. - - Ev’n WINTER’S self, with look averted, throws, - His thin-strewn flow’rets on the goddess’ shrine; - Ev’n _his_ cold bosom for a moment glows, - When he beholds her radiant form divine. - - -XXXIX. - - But now the Genii of each plant and flow’r, - Rang’d in fair order, wait her high commands; - And each, approaching her delicious bow’r, - In expectation of her verdict stands. - - -XL. - - For many of the _garden’s_ painted race, - And some that with their colours deck the _field_, - Rivals in wealth, in beauty, and in grace, - Had wag’d high wars, unknowing how to yield. - - -XLI. - - All claim’d preferment, and each one could boast - Of some bright beauty or perfection dear, - Which should induce mankind to prize _her_ most, - And to preferment make her title clear. - - -XLII. - - And some, of empty shew and titles vain; - Alas! that Pride so many should deceive! - Claim’d o’er their kindred plants and flow’rs to reign: - And of their birthright others would bereave. - - -XLIII. - - The Crown Imperial, and the spurious Flow’r - Which boasts of royal arms and royal mien[3]; - The warlike Plant that claims immortal pow’r[4], - And that gay lady call’d the Meadow’s Queen. - - -XLIV. - - All these, and more, that scorn’d a subject state, - Rose to the claim of high imperial sway: - Forgetting—to be _good_ was to be _great_— - They rose to rule, unpractis’d to obey. - - -XLV. - - Others again for _beauty’s_ meed contend, - Chief amidst whom appear’d the Tulip race; - A painted tribe, born only to contend - For praise, where _all_ is giv’n external grace. - - -XLVI. - - Alcæa proud[5]; and lovely Venus’ joy, - That does from adverse winds its title claim[6]; - The once conceited, self-admiring Boy[7], - Whose love prepost’rous gave a flow’r a name. - -[3] Iris, or Fleur de lis. - -[4] Larkspur. - -[5] The Hollyhock. - -[6] Anemone, or Wind Flower. - -[7] Narcissus. - - -XLVII. - - The proud Carnation dipp’d in brightest dyes, - Who still with thirst of praise and glory burns; - With her whose mirrour cheats deluded eyes[8], - And she that still to her lov’d Phœbus turns[9]. - - -XLVIII. - - There, with their num’rous chiefs of diff’rent hues, - The painted Cock’s Comb, and his lofty train, - Their beauties vaunting, to the rest refuse - To share the glories of their gaudy reign.— - - -XLIX. - - The judges sat, each sep’rate claim was heard, - While some for _rule_, and some for _praises_, sought; - And some had been disgrac’d, and some preferr’d, - As in the goddess’ mind their various pleadings wrought - - -L. - - But her lov’d consort, gently whisp’ring, said: - “What means my Queen, on these to cast her sight, - Who have but pride or lust of sway display’d, - Nor brought their real worth or virtues to the light?” - -[8] Bell Flower, Corn Violet, or Venus’s Looking-Glass. - -[9] Clytie, or the Sun-Flower. - - -LI. - - How many absent now, more fair than these, - With greater fragrance in lone valleys blow? - Or, if the garden’s flow’ry tribe more please, - Where do the Rose and lovely Vi’let glow? - - -LII. - - The Lily where, and all that num’rous host, - Who claim true praise to innate virtue due; - Or do they _merit least_ who _loudest boast_, - And with false glare impose upon the view? - - -LIII. - - For sure, of all who feel my genial gale, - Or to the sun their fragrant breasts unfold, - The best and sweetest that on earth prevail, - Yet do I not in this fair court behold. - - -LIV. - - He said; and FLORA, rising from her throne, - Bade present search for ev’ry one be made: - Who, though their off’rings on her altar shone, - Their modest haste had from the court convey’d. - - -LV. - - Strait they return’d:—The lovely blushing Rose, - The Lily ever chaste and ever fair, - The Vi’let sweet with purple tints that glows, - And Myrtle green, that scents the ambient air: - - -LVI. - - With many more, grateful to sight and smell, - By bounteous heav’n with matchless charms endu’d; - That in the fragrant meads or gardens dwell, - Or which wild wastes from human eyes seclude. - - -LVII. - - These by their Genii now in modest guise, - Excus’d from pleading ’midst the mingled throng. - Claim’d but the tribute all allow’d their prize, - Nor sought their own just praises to prolong. - - -LVIII. - - Yet, these once seen, abash’d their rivals stand; - And would have fled, but FLORA this deny’d; - Who, rising graceful, with her out-stretch’d hand, - Thus briefly to th’ assembled pow’rs apply’d: - - -LIX. - - “Genii of gardens, meads, and sylvan scenes, - Attendant still in FLORA’S vernal train, - Say what this ardent, fond contention means, - Why strive you thus for pow’r, and strive in vain? - - -LX. - - Are you not all beneath our sceptre blest; - Say, do not all confess our gentle sway? - Then seek not one to triumph o’er the rest, - But each in peaceful order still obey. - - -LXI. - - So _all_ the glories of my reign shall share, - So _all_ be still in poets songs renown’d, - So shall my ZEPHYR still with gentlest air, - Wave o’er your beds, with bloom eternal crown’d. - - -LXII. - - And _you_, who not for pow’r, but beauty’s charms, - For gaudy tints, still fiercely would contend; - What envious fire such gentle bosoms warms? - And where, alas! must the mad contest end? - - -LXIII. - - Each has her charms, and each peculiar worth, - To all in various portions duly giv’n, - By secret Nature working at its birth, - The lavish bounty of indulgent Heav’n. - - -LXIV. - - Each has her charms:—but view the blushing Rose, - Behold the beauties of the Lily fair; - Few boast of equal excellence to those, - Yet with their modest merit none compare. - - -LXV. - - These, therefore, we prefer; and though no Queen - Besides Ourselves we will to hold the reign; - Yet, for their true desart conspicuous seen, - We rank them foremost on the flow’ry plain. - - -LXVI. - - Hear, and obey; and if aught else abide, - To raise dispute among your orders bright; - Still by true merit let the cause be try’d, - And specious _shew_ yield to more solid _right_.” - - -LXVII. - - She spoke;—the Seasons, and the winged Hours, - Confirm’d her voice; then breath’d a rich perfume, - Which ZEPHYR scatter’d wide o’er all the flow’rs, - And deck’d their leaves with more than mortal bloom. - - -LXVIII. - - Then, his lov’d consort straining in his arms, - With gentlest touch salutes her swelling breast; - Who strait shone forth in more refulgent charms, - As JUNO when by vernal JOVE caress’d. - - -LXIX. - - And sudden joining in a mazy dance, - The airy phantoms of the scene appear’d; - Some to the sprightly timbrel did advance, - While some their clear harmonious voices rear’d. - - -LXX. - - But One among the rest, who view’d me stand - Intent, and gazing on the prospect near, - Came forth, and gently touch’d my trembling hand, - And bade me mark his words, and nothing fear: - - -LXXI. - - “And seest thou not (said he) these vary’d flow’rs, - Contending still for beauty or for sway? - Such are the contests which employ man’s hours, - In life’s short, busy, transitory day. - - -LXXII. - - For what is gaudy beauty’s short-liv’d bloom, - The pomp of pow’r, of riches, or of pride; - Soon bury’d in the undistinguish’d tomb, - Which all their boasted pomp at once must hide? - - -LXXIII. - - VIRTUE alone survives, immortal maid! - Her truly amaranthine flow’r shall blow, - When all the rest are wrapt in dusky shade, - And laid in dark and dusty ruins low. - - -LXXIV. - - Hear, and attend!—improve the moral strain, - So may’st thou sail safe through life’s dang’rous sea; - So from these scenes thou wisdom may’st attain, - And FLORA prove MINERVA’S self to thee.” - - -LXXV. - - He ceas’d; and well I mark’d the prudent lore, - And much revolv’d his saying in my mind; - Bent all the mystic moral to explore, - By this romantic, splendid scene design’d. - - -LXXVI. - - But, the full concert swelling on my ear, - The bands of Sleep dissolv’d, away he flies; - At once the train of phantoms disappear, - And on my waking sight the vision dies. - - -LXXVII. - - No longer now near FLORA’S bow’r I stood, - But view’d with op’ning eyes the rising day; - Then down the Valley fair my path pursu’d, - And homeward took my solitary way. - - - - -FABLES OF FLOWERS. - - -[Illustration: _Fab. I The Holly Hock & Lily of the Vale_] - -[Illustration: _Fab. II The Aloe in Blossom_] - - - - -FABLE I. - - -The HOLLYHOCK and the LILY of the VALE. - - -I. - - ’Twas early morn, Sol’s radiant beams - Illum’d the landscape round. - The dew-drops glitter’d on the day, - And gem-like deck’d the ground. - - -II. - - Within the garden’s cultur’d walks - A Hollyhock there grew; - And there the Lily of the Vale - Kept humble distance due. - - -III. - - Elate with pride, the gaudy flow’r - Expands its swelling breast; - And, joying in the vernal scene, - The LILY thus address’d: - - -IV. - - “What dost thou here, mean paltry thing, - “Go blow in yonder field; - “Nor thus disgrace fair FLORA’S tribes, - “That heav’nly beauties yield. - - -V. - - “Go, with thy faint and sickly hue; - “Some chearless vale adorn; - “But here intrude not on our reign, - “Nor drink the dew of morn. - - -VI. - - “Whilst I with heighten’d colours glow, - “In Summer’s liv’ry gay; - “Imbibe the softest tints of light, - “And glitter on the day. - - -VII. - - “Me yonder golden sun shall warm, - “At morn and noon-tide hour; - “And me his ev’ning beams attend, - “Like his own fav’rite flow’r. - - -VIII. - - “Nor yonder Rose, nor Bacchus’ Plant, - “Which twining near me grows, - “Can boast more excellence than me, - “Or brighter dyes disclose. - - -IX. - - “Hence thou! nor this fair spot profane, - “Where fairer flow’rets blow; - “Return again to shades obscure, - “And there neglected grow.” - - -X. - - The LILY heard, with decent grace, - That scorn’d the boaster’s pride; - Then from her lone, unenvy’d bed - She thus in brief reply’d; - - -XI. - - “From vaunting loud what fame is gain’d, - “To raise the boaster’s name; - “Or might not yonder blushing Rose - “Exert a fairer claim? - - -XII. - - “And many a flow’r that round thee blows, - “In the bright garb of Spring; - “Or, rich in elegant perfumes, - “That scent the Zephyr’s wing. - - -XIII. - - “The vine, with purple clusters deck’d, - “Shall soon rich sweets bestow; - “Whilst thou, a barren flow’r at best, - “Art only made for show. - - -XIV. - - “For ME;—what Nature form’d, I am; - “I envy not thy pride; - “Nor seek to raise a greater boast, - “By Providence deny’d. - - -XV. - - “Yet in some dark and dang’rous hour, - “When tempests rude assail; - “Ev’n thou may’st wish the humbler state - “Of LILY OF THE VALE.” - - -XVI. - - Safe from her humble spot she said, - And view’d the changing sky; - From op’ning clouds the thunders break, - The livid lightnings fly. - - -XVII. - - Full on the garden’s lofty wall, - The flow’rs exalted place, - The fires æthereal swiftly fall, - And rend its solid base. - - -XVIII. - - And now the boaster’s trust and pride - Assur’d her overthrow; - Her glories buried in the dust, - By one destructive blow. - - -XIX. - - The LILY view’d the ruin’d flow’r, - And strait this Moral drew; - _Beauty and Pride are idly vain,_ - _But Praise is Merit’s due_. - - -XX. - - _Daughters of Albion, timely wise,_ - _Attend the moral tale;_ - _And imitate with prudent care_ - THE LILY OF THE VALE. - - - - -FABLE II. - -The ALOE in BLOSSOM. - - -I. - - “From warmer climates early borne, - “Where beams the god of light; - “How gaily blooms yon lofty plant, - “In native colours bright! - - -II. - - “The root, the plant, the leaf, the flow’r, - “Alike our wonder raise; - “And all confess the fragrant stock, - “Renown’d in ancient days. - - -III. - - “Some say, but one revolving age - “Beholds thy beauties spread; - “And rear aloft to genial suns - “Its highly blooming head. - - -IV. - - “But thou, like Merit, kindly nurs’d, - “An early spring wilt know; - “While, check’d by rigid, frowning skies, - “Thy gems forget to glow. - - -V. - - “Emblem of Genius rarely known, - “And still more rarely giv’n; - “To reap the good itself imparts, - “And share the gifts of Heav’n. - - -VI. - - “Say, glorious stranger, rear’d erewhile - “In distant, sunny lands; - “Can either India more bestow, - “Than Albion’s isle commands? - - -VII. - - “In western and in southern climes - “Too long hast thou been plac’d; - “And India’s sands, and Afric’s wilds, - “Thy beauteous presence grac’d. - - -VIII. - - “Deign then, O sov’reign plant, thy balm, - “On this our land bestow; - “And give thy flow’rs in all their grace - “And lustre here to blow.”— - - -IX. - - The Guardian Sylph, that watch’d the flow’r, - Confess’d before me stood; - And shook his bright and sunny locks, - And thus my suit withstood: - - -X. - - “Cease, cease, he cry’d, such boons to ask, - “As scarce deserve a name; - “While Albion, favour’d from above, - “Can greater blessings claim. - - -XI. - - “Still, still, their gems and spicy store, - “Let either India boast; - “And Afric vaunt the precious sands, - “That glitter on her coast. - - -XII. - - “Not these, nor all the hidden wealth, - “That earth or sea possess; - “Can match those richer gifts of heav’n, - “Which fair Britannia bless. - - -XIII. - - “Peace, Freedom, Wealth from farthest shores, - “By golden commerce brought; - “All these are hers, and ev’ry good, - “By happiest nations sought. - - -XIV. - - “Nor _this_ alone; here Genius blooms, - “A _Flow’r_ excelling _mine_. - “Nor asks a whole revolving age, - “In glories to refine. - - -XV. - - “Here too the Fair, with beauty bright, - “The hearts of heroes warm; - “Those _human blossoms_ genial blow, - “And put forth ev’ry charm. - - -XVI. - - “Cease then, _nor envy other climes_ - “_Their beauties thinly strewn_; - “_But learn with decent pride to prize_ - “_The blessings of your own_.” - -[Illustration: _Fab. III. The Rose & Hornet_] - -[Illustration: _Fab. IV. The Sensitive Plant_] - - - - -FABLE III. - -The ROSE and the HORNET. - - -I. - - Deep in a lone sequester’d vale, - Where many’ a streamlet flows; - And nurs’d by many’ a gentle gale, - Soft bloom’d a damask Rose. - - -II. - - The Summer’s suns, the Zephyrs bland, - All own’d her peerless queen; - The honey’d Bee, Spring’s sweetest child, - Oft’ sought her breast serene. - - -III. - - Her beauties op’ning on the day, - With ev’ry grace were crown’d; - Imbib’d the golden solar beam, - And deck’d the desart ground. - - -IV. - - Daughter of Nature, still she blow’d, - Where human face ne’er shone; - And spread her blossoms to the view - But of the Sun alone. - - -V. - - Pride of the East, a brighter glow, - Beyond our garden’s bloom, - Bade her with heighten’d beauty blush, - And scatter rich perfume. - - -VI. - - Her rudely rushing through the air - An angry HORNET ’spy’d; - Vow’d to enjoy the heav’nly flow’r, - In all her blooming pride. - - -VII. - - Bold son of heat, with rudest haste, - His course he strait address’d; - To rifle all her charms in spite, - And riot on her breast. - - -VIII. - - He search’d each leaf, each blossom wounds - With rude unhallow’d rage; - Yet nothing could his search explore, - His passion to assuage. - - -IX. - - The beauteous flow’r, though wildly rent, - No sweetness would afford; - But hurt by many a vengeful thorn, - His rashness he deplor’d. - - -X. - - At length, thus baffled and deceiv’d, - Enrag’d, he silence broke; - And now of ev’ry hope bereft, - He thus insulting spoke; - - -XI. - - “Vain gaudy flow’r, they term thy breast - “Engaging, bright, and fair; - “Who seek thy bosom, ne’er shall find - “Or joy or sweetness there. - - -XII. - - “The Bee indeed, thy fav’rite, still - “Says, Honey springs from thee; - “Yet nought but trouble, care, and pain, - “Hast thou bestow’d on me. - - -XIII. - - “Then boast no more thy beauteous form - “That still excites desire; - “Since _Thorns_ alone thou canst bestow, - “To quench a lover’s fire.” - - -XIV. - - Then thus the Rose,—“Intruder vile! - “Who thus would’st force employ; - “Though arm’d with pow’r; know ’tis not thine - “To taste substantial joy. - - -XV. - - “The Bee, who sips each sweet that glows - “In lawn or shady bow’r, - “Tastes all the honey as he flies, - “But never wounds the flow’r. - - -XVI. - - “Whilst thou, both impious and unwise, - “Of all our tribes the scorn: - “For ev’ry violated sweet - “Shalt always meet a thorn.” - - - - -FABLE IV. The SENSITIVE PLANT. - - -I. - - Rare plant, or flow’r, or nymph-like tree, - With human sense endu’d; - Why dost thou shrink beneath the touch, - And bear but to be _view’d_? - - -II. - - Say does some Hamadryad chuse - In that green stem to live? - And to her highly favour’d shrine - This strong sensation give? - - -III. - - Well for thy sake their ancient oaks - The wood-nymphs might forsake; - And in thy purer bosom with - Their lov’d abodes to make. - - -IV. - - Yet why indignant from each hand - Alike dost thou retire? - Does ev’ry touch, replete with ill, - Alike thy hate inspire? - - -V. - - Too cautious nymph! well might’st thou deign - To some thy breast unfold; - Sure those would _worship_ at the _touch_, - Who _love_ when they _behold_. - - -VI. - - Shrunk in herself, with modest grace - The Plant thus fair reply’d, - “Whate’er my source, my maiden state - “But ill agrees with pride[10]. - -[10] This flower is encompassed with thorns, and its root is said to -have a poisonous quality. - - -VII. - - “In purity alone I joy; - “I seek no other fame, - “But that which from chaste wishes grows, - “And suits a virgin’s name. - - -VIII. - - “Nymphs of the woods, the groves, and streams, - “Too oft have found the smart - “Of looser fires, which, once indulg’d, - “Will rankle in the heart. - - -IX. - - “Me no rude touch shall e’er profane; - “That guard if once I leave, - “Of ev’ry virtue well I know - “Mankind would me bereave. - - -X. - - “Nor this alone, know, curious youth, - “A thorny mail I own; - “Foe to the rash unthinking hand - “That violates my throne. - - -XI. - - “And ev’n within this spotless breast - “Does deadly venom spring; - “So he that ravishes the sweets, - “May meet the mortal sting. - - -XII. - - “Go then, and range from flow’r to flow’r, - “Amidst the gaudy train: - “But sacred be my homely plant, - “To bright-hair’d Vesta’s reign. - - -XIII. - - “She ceas’d; nor I the flow’r profan’d, - “To chastity devote; - “But on the sand with rustic pen, - “This sacred moral wrote: - - -XIV. - - _The Nymph who slights strict virtue’s guard,_ - _Shall quickly meet a snare;_ - _And Pleasures, rais’d on Virtue’s bane,_ - _Are fatal, as they’re fair._ - -[Illustration: _Fab. V The Hawthorn & Primrose_] - -[Illustration: _Fab. VI The White Rose & Red_] - - - - -FABLE V. - -The HAWTHORN and the PRIMROSE. - - -I. - - Beneath a wild and rustic shade, - Impervious to the view; - In the sweet-smiling month of May, - A lovely Primrose grew. - - -II. - - The gentle child of early Spring - By bounteous FLORA crown’d; - With vernal beauties born to deck - The unfrequented ground. - - -III. - - The brightest dye, the sweetest scent, - Her yellow leaves could yield; - Were spent upon the empty air, - Nor e’er adorn’d the field. - - -IV. - - For round her grew a bushy brake, - With many’ a thorn beset; - And many’ a weed obscene and foul - Deform’d the green retreat. - - -V. - - But high above the rest advanc’d - A spreading Hawthorn rose; - Whose lengthen’d branches overhung - The seat of her repose. - - -VI. - - Her gem-like blossoms wide display’d - The darkling dell adorn; - With grateful fragrance kiss the wind, - And drink the dew of morn’. - - -VII. - - Her the lone Rose in mournful guise - Full many a day had ey’d; - And thus at length one summer’s eve - She all impatient cry’d. - - -VIII. - - “Ah Thorn! the bane of all my hopes! - “Ah Thorn! that wound’st my peace! - “Still must I view thy branches spread, - “And still my woes increase: - - -IX. - - “I who long since had, happier far, - “Been by some fair caress’d; - “Had drunk the radiance of her eye, - “And panted on her breast? - - -X. - - “What have I done, O wretch! that still - “This evil treatment meets; - “Or hast thou aught in lieu to give - “To those who lose my sweets?” - - -XI. - - She said:—the Hawthorn thus reply’d, - “Fond pageant of an hour! - “Art _thou_ displeas’d because _I_ bloom, - “Though shelter’d by my pow’r? - - -XII. - - “And know’st thou not that but for _me_ - “Thy boasted bloom were vain; - “By grazing herds trod under foot, - “And level’d with the plain? - - -XIII. - - “_Thee_ I protect; _myself_ am known - “Among the warlike race; - “Whom Nature arms with prompt defence - “Of most excelling grace. - - -XIV. - - “Nor idly I these weapons wear, - “Nor idle is my bloom; - “One arms me for myself and thee; - “The other sheds perfume. - - -XV. - - “And oft as this returning month - “Adds vigour to the year; - “Crown’d with my gems in rustic dance - “The nymphs and swains appear. - - -XVI. - - “Me the fleet hare, and tim’rous fawn, - “Seek at their greatest need; - “They rest secure beneath my shade, - “And on my bounty feed. - - -XVII. - - “But most the plaintive Philomel, - “Sweet warbler of the grove, - “Joys ’midst my branches to repose, - “And sing her hapless love. - - -XVIII. - - “Against my thorns her bosom plac’d, - “She strains her tuneful throat; - “And by my useful aid exalts - “Each sweetly trilling note. - - -XIX. - - “Sacred to FLORA, of her train - “Although no flow’r am I; - “And born to flourish many a moon, - “When thou shalt fade and die.” - - -XX. - - “Cease then, nor envy this my state, - “Which must _thy own_ defend; - “The thorns I bear shall save thy flow’r, - “And prove thy surest friend.” - - -XXI. - - So spake the HAWTHORN, justly wise; - The ROSE unansw’ring heard: - I caught the Moral, as it rose; - And thus its sense appear’d: - - -XXII. - - _Life’s humble vale is most secure;_ - _Cares on th’ exalted wait:_ - _Yet those who well the weak protect_ - _Deserve_ UNENVY’D STATE. - - - - -FABLE VI. - -The WHITE ROSE and the RED. - - -I. - - Contending beauties, whom the doom - Of Fate has still assign’d - Two fragrant rival flow’rs to blow, - And scent the western wind; - - -II. - - The WHITE ROSE and the BLUSHING RED, - Each one the garden’s pride, - With equal grace their leaves display’d, - And flourish’d side by side. - - -III. - - The _first_ of spotless beauty vain - That sudden caught the eye, - The _last_ attentive praise to gain - From her more sanguine dye. - - -IV. - - Of sov’reign virtue both well known, - Both favour’d from above: - Still full of glory rose each flow’r, - Emblems of gentle Love. - - -V. - - Yet ’twixt their stocks wild feuds subsist, - To work them lasting woe; - Whilst each of other still complain’d, - And strove her overthrow. - - -VI. - - “Shame, said the RED, on that pale hue, - “Which speaks the wearer’s heart; - “That, void of virtue as of grace, - “No colour can impart. - - -VII. - - “Unlike the blushes that adorn - “My flow’r with colour meet, - “AURORA’S, when she wakes the day, - “Appear not half so sweet.” - - -VIII. - - “Nay! Shame on thee, the White reply’d, - “Whose blush by _guilt_ was giv’n: - “Ev’n by the blood of VENUS shed, - “Our patroness in Heav’n[11]. - - -IX. - - “Till then like me all Roses were, - “Whose ancient stock I claim; - “And, void of crime, still reprobate - “Their colour with their name.” - - -X. - - “This and much more she angry said: - “But JOVE’S immortal flow’r[12] - “Their ill-meant conversation broke, - “With soft, persuasive pow’r. - -[11] According to the old Fable, the Rose was at first always white, -till Venus, while she was pursuing Adonis, scratched herself with its -thorns, and thereby stained it with her cœlestial blood. - -[12] The Amaranth. - - -XI. - - “Forbear, she cry’d, in haughty guise, - “Reproachful to contend: - “Whoe’er the victrix, small her gain, - “That thus can lose a friend. - - -XII. - - “Ally’d by Nature in your kind, - “And diff’ring but in Hue: - “You both possess intrinsic worth, - “And outward beauty too. - - -XIII. - - “Long was the strife your[13] ancient state, - “In this our isle pursu’d; - “Which many a year drench’d either Rose, - “In seas of kindred blood. - - -XIV. - - “Oh! may no more such horrors rise, - “Within our Garden’s pale: - “But all with emulation strive, - “That concord may prevail! - -[13] Alluding to the Civil Wars of York and Lancaster, in which the -White Rose and the Red were adopted as tokens or devices by their -different partisans. - - -XV. - - “May civil feuds and ranc’rous hate - “From hence be banish’d far; - “Foul is that strife, where friends contest, - “And wage inhuman war. - - -XVI. - - “Then to this solemn truth give ear; - “_Where trifles thus are priz’d,_ - “_If two for victory contend;_ - “_They both will be despis’d_.” - -[Illustration: _Fab. VII. The Crocus_] - -[Illustration: _Fab. VIII. Anemone & Passion Flower_] - - - - -FABLE VII. - -The CROCUS. - - -I. - - “Say, beauteous flow’r, whose burnish’d leaves - “With Spring’s own livery glow: - “In these bleak months, why dost thou chuse - “T’ adorn a waste of snow? - - -II. - - “Say, dost thou grudge to summer-skies, - “That bloom divinely bright: - “Or, are thy beauties clearer seen, - “Through this thin Robe of White? - - -III. - - “The Snow-drop, thy companion fair, - “As well thy foil might prove, - “And both might bloom in seasons sweet, - “And far from hence remove. - - -IV. - - “To Summer’s gayer months benign; - “Should’st thou transfer thy reign, - “Thy beauties still would brighter glow, - “And doubly grace the plain.—” - - -V. - - I said:—the lovely smiling flow’r, - The beauty of its race; - And friendly to the sons of men, - Reply’d with decent grace: - - -VI. - - “Nature’s great book before thee set: - “She blames thee not to scan - “Her works on every side display’d, - “The fit employ of man. - - -VII. - - “When Spring and Summer glad the earth, - “Ten thousand beauties bloom; - “And various flow’rs of brightest hue, - “Diffuse a rich perfume. - - -VIII. - - “Autumn of fruits her tribute brings, - “With, yellow harvests crown’d; - “Then laugh the hills and vales, and meads - “With richest plenty crown’d. - - -IX. - - “Winter, at length, with gloomy brow, - “Comes on to close the year; - “When flow’rs and fruits, and all their race, - “Almost extinct appear. - - -X. - - “Yet still some few the gracious Pow’rs - “Permit of these to bloom: - “Nor heap alike all FLORA’S race, - “In one remorseless tomb. - - -XI. - - “And soon as to the wat’ry Signs, - “The Sun retreats again; - “Then she my flamy dyes awakes, - “And bids me deck the plain. - - -XII. - - “Nor less my worth because ’midst snows, - “My head I early rear; - “My flow’r still fresh and lively blooms, - “As at the closing year. - - -XIII. - - “And know, when Autumn’s Sun prevails, - “My kindred flow’rs arise; - “In forms which heav’nly pow’rs might praise, - “And scent the ambient skies[14]. - - -XIV. - - “These ev’ry dismal gloom dispel; - “Which mis’ry can impart, - “And joy and gladness still inspire, - “And harmonize the heart. - - -XV. - - “Meanwhile my earlier station here, - “(Health’s harbinger) I keep, - “To glad the sad and cloudy days; - “When Spring’s soft Zephyrs sleep. - -[14] It is here to be noted that the autumnal Crocus is the Saffron -Flower, so famous in Medicine. - - -XVI. - - “So, in the Winter of his days, - “Chear thou thy drooping friend; - “His sorrows sooth, his griefs assuage, - “And prompt assistance lend. - - -XVII. - - “So, when his fate and fortune lour, - “Thy better aid impart; - “And with thy fortune’s warmer ray, - “Revive his dying heart. - - -XVIII. - - She said;—the moral well became - The sweet, propitious flow’r; - I mark’d the lore with heedful mind, - And own’d fair FRIENDSHIP’S pow’r. - - - - -FABLE VIII. - -The ANEMONE and the PASSION FLOWER. - - -I. - - “Bright flow’r renown’d in ancient times, - “Amidst the Cyprian shades; - “The theme of wonder and of praise - “To soft Sidonian maids. - - -II. - - “Hail! Goddess-born! hail! thou produc’d - “From the bright mingled flood - “Of VENUS’ tears, as bards have sung, - “And her ADONIS’ blood. - - -III. - - “Rich are thy blossoms in each hue - “That can inchant the fight; - “And strike at once the ravish’d eye - “With wonder and delight. - - -IV. - - “Hail! sacred Plant, born but to shew - “ADONIS’ yearly wound; - “By gentle VENUS taught to bloom, - “With heav’nly beauties crown’d.” - - -V. - - I said; when lo; an awful form - Upon my orgies broke; - And, like some bright cœlestial pow’r, - In lofty accents spoke: - - -VI. - - “Hence, thou profane; nor wound me thus - “With thy unhallow’d song; - “But turn, and see, who blossoms here, - “To whom thy strains belong. - - -VII. - - “The Tyrian Boy, and VENUS’ self; - “Before my face shall fly; - “Their beauty gone, their lustre lost, - “And all their charms shall die. - - -VIII. - - “I am the only flow’r on earth, - “With signs divine adorn’d; - “By me, of Heav’n thus favour’d high, - “All Pagan Gods are scorn’d. - - -IX. - - “The purple ring, the bloody crown, - “The nails, and guilty spear, - “That slew the Lord of Life, behold - “In my symbolic sphere. - - -X. - - “Deep to Lethéan shades my root - “Still downward seems to tend; - “As from the Cross’s sacred base, - “To Hell it would descend. - - -XI. - - “Then here thy mis-plac’d rev’rence shew, - “And bow before this shrine; - “Where Angel Hosts themselves might pray, - “And own the Plant divine.” - - -XII. - - She said; ADONIS’ flow’ret bow’d, - As to superior pow’r; - My conscious heart was struck with dread; - Before the wond’rous flow’r. - - -XIII. - - But whilst intent my rev’rence there - With honour due to pay; - The heav’ns withdrew their useful light, - And clos’d the hours of day. - - -XIV. - - I look’d;—no more those signs I saw, - Which had my rev’rence drawn: - For ever shut the mirrour stood[15], - Which thus had grac’d the lawn. - - -XV. - - A while I gaz’d; at length I cry’d, - And art THOU mortal too? - Are all THY sacred beauties fled, - Or faded on the view? - -[15] This flower opens in the morning, and fades away in the evening, -closing up, and never opening again. - - -XVI. - - _Vain then is all external awe,_ - _That images impart;_ - _And_ HE _that rules above is best_ - _Recorded in the_ HEART. - -[Illustration: _Fab. IX. The Lily & Narcissus_] - -[Illustration: _Fab. X. The Ivy & Sweet Briar_] - - - - -FABLE IX. - -The LILY and NARCISSUS. - - -I. - - “Ah! hapless discontented flow’r, - “That yellow leaves adorn; - “Who once in life’s gay vernal pride - “The brightest nymphs could’st scorn. - - -II. - - “Hard was thy lot, and short thy date, - “By form too fair undone; - “Thou met’st, alas! a timeless doom, - “Ere half thy course was run. - - -III. - - “Unhappy, self-admiring youth, - “A lesson thou shalt prove; - “T’ avoid vain pride, that idle toy, - “And shun prepost’rous love. - - -IV. - - “Fair when a boy, now chang’d, no more - “Those beauties can’st thou boast; - “But ever sadly may’st repent - “In vain those beauties lost. - - -V. - - “View yonder Lily’s snowy pride, - “Sprung from a seed divine; - “Then own how much her beauty bright, - “Fond flow’r, out-rivals thine!” - - -VI. - - With modest grace the Lily bow’d - The honours of her head; - Then, with a sweet and modest grace, - She thus instructive said: - - -VII. - - “Well may they droop, to whom their fate, - “With form divinely fair, - “No other, better boon has giv’n - “To make that beauty dear. - - -VIII. - - “For not this glossy white I bear, - “Delight of human eyes; - “Nor this so graceful form admir’d, - “Are what I wish to prize. - - -IX. - - “From heav’nly strain[16] I first arose, - “Emblem of chaste desires; - “And still that chastity retain, - “And check unhallow’d fires. - - -X. - - “No empty self-admirer, I - “Would Folly’s trophies raise; - “Such _virtue_ then let all applaud, - “Not empty _beauty_ praise.” - -[16] According to the Old Fable, Jupiter being willing to make Hercules -immortal, caused him to suck Juno while she was asleep; when the milk -gushing out into a great quantity, some of it being spilt upon the -sky, made the galaxy or milky way there, while the rest falling to the -earth, gave birth to the White Lily. - - -XI. - - She said; and strait the moral found - Deep entrance in my breast; - BEAUTY, _if not with_ VIRTUE _join’d,_ - _Is but an idle jest_. - - - - -FABLE X. - -The IVY and SWEET BRIAR. - - -I. - - “Hail, sacred IVY! hail,” I said, - “Devote to BACCHUS’ shrine; - “Parent of wreaths, which deck the brows - “Of Gods and men divine. - - -II. - - “Why call thee baleful, why despise - “Thy ancient friendly race; - “Who clasp the Elm and sturdy Oak - “In mystical embrace. - - -III. - - “MINERVA’S bird too deigns to dwell - “Where thou art frequent seen; - “Who loves the calm and peaceful hour, - “And courts the deep serene. - - -IV. - - “Thou, like the Vine, thy patron’s joy, - “Thy nurture wilt receive, - “And, twining close with friendly arms, - “Wilt still supported live. - - -V. - - “With PHŒBUS’ laurel justly thou - “May’st hold divided claim; - “The crown of glorious conquerors, - “And meed of deathless fame.” - - -VI. - - Thus whilst I spoke, the West wind rose, - And scatter’d rich perfume, - From thickets, where sweet Eglantine - Appear’d in vernal bloom. - - -VII. - - Thence a soft voice salutes my ear, - Which thus complaining said; - “Fond youth, to yonder noxious weed - “Why all these honours paid? - - -VIII. - - “The Vine, ’tis true, will wed her Elm; - “But view the dow’r she brings! - “From yonder steril, forc’d embrace - “Alas! what profit springs? - - -IX. - - “Like a false friend, too sure, she twines, - “Intent but to destroy; - “As Jealousy, Love’s offspring, still - “Impoisons all Love’s joy. - - -X. - - “How poor that _virtue_, which retires - “To solitude for aid! - “_How weak that wisdom_, which can shine - “Alone in night’s dun shade! - - -XI. - - “And what, though gods and godlike men - “Their victor brows have bound - “With ivy’d wreaths; is then the weed - “For that alone renown’d? - - -XII. - - “Say rather, in that purer age, - “When spotless honour reign’d; - “The victor, seeking only fame, - “A worthless crown obtain’d. - - -XIII. - - “Hence Ivy, Parsley, Oaken Boughs, - “Their labour well repaid, - “Who not for gain, but glory’s charms, - “Their gen’rous strength display’d. - - -XIV. - - “But thou, regardful of fair truth, - “And glory justly gain’d; - “Scorn the frail claim of upstarts base, - “By such false means obtain’d. - - -XV. - - “_Not borrow’d names from high descent,_ - “_Are real honour’s meed;_ - “_But they alone are_ GREAT, _whose fame_ - “_Springs from_ THEIR OWN _fair deed_.” - -[Illustration: _Fab. XI. The Violet Transplanted_] - -[Illustration: _Fab. XII. The Tulip & Amaranth_] - - - - -FABLE XI. - -The VIOLET TRANSPLANTED. - - -I. - - Where fragrant field-flow’rs, gaily spread, - Drink deep the morning dew; - Close by a murm’ring riv’let’s side - An humble Vi’let grew. - - -II. - - To her the cultur’d spot unknown, - She bloom’d in her retreat; - And there in native fragrance bless’d, - Dispers’d a world of sweet. - - -III. - - But yet not undisturb’d her lot - By Providence was cast; - For oft’ the herds went grazing forth - And laid the meadow waste. - - -IV. - - And oft’ the trav’ler’s careless step - Had laid her on the plain; - Yet, by the living streamlet fed, - She soon reviv’d again. - - -V. - - At length a curious Florist saw - The sweetly blooming flow’r; - Call’d her the field’s and garden’s pride, - And plac’d her in his bow’r. - - -VI. - - Here, with a thousand beauties rang’d, - Her elegance was lost; - No more the cultur’d spot she grac’d; - No more fair FLORA’S boast. - - -VII. - - Abandon’d by his hand, who first - Her charms with pleasure view’d; - She in her rise beheld her fate, - And now neglected stood. - - -VIII. - - She droop’d, she pin’d; the richer soil - No nurture could afford; - And oft’ in vain her humbler lot - The fading flow’r deplor’d. - - -IX. - - The happier tribes that flourish’d round - Did each her state deride; - Rejoicing that she paid so dear - For what they deem’d her pride. - - -X. - - The Sun in Cancer flam’d aloft - Dry thirst her moisture drank; - In vain she wish’d the lucent flood, - Or shade of osiers dank. - - -XI. - - Oppress’d at length she drooping fell, - As ready to expire; - Her bosom unresisting spread - To Sol’s consuming fire. - - -XII. - - When lo! from heav’n a gentle rain - Cool’d that too fervid ray; - And soon reviv’d the beauteous flow’r, - Which glow’d upon the day. - - -XIII. - - Her bloom restor’d, renew’d again; - Her former lord attends; - And midst the fairest of the fair - She numbers now her friends. - - -XIV. - - Yet, deeply struck with former ills, - An humble flow’r she blooms; - No pride that lovely bosom knows, - Whence ZEPHYR steals perfumes; - - -XV. - - And to the Fair this useful truth - She evermore reveals; - _That she best knows her Beauty’s force,_ - _Who modestly conceals_. - - - - -FABLE XII. - -The TULIP and the AMARANTH. - - -I. - - Where various beauties mingled rise, - All grateful to the view; - With variegated beauties bright, - A gaudy TULIP grew. - - -II. - - Its leaves with flamy splendour shine, - Mix’d with more vivid green; - And all the tints that deck heav’n’s bow - Upon the flow’r are seen. - - -III. - - The gently passing vernal air - The beauteous plant caress’d; - And ZEPHYR ever pleas’d reclin’d - Upon the charmer’s breast. - - -IV. - - While near at hand the GENTLE FLOW’R, - Call’d AMARANTH, below - The blooming guest of JOVE’S own seats, - Deign’d in her prime to grow. - - -V. - - Yet she with hairs uncouthly deck’d, - Unlike the Tulip race, - Is not among the flowr’ets found, - Whose colours mark their grace. - - -VI. - - This swell’d her rival’s empty pride, - And, vain of empty shew; - The Amaranth askance she ey’d, - And thus contemptuous spoke; - - -VII. - - “Of all the flow’rs that deck the lawn, - “The progeny of Spring; - “And all that of maturer birth - “The later seasons bring: - - -VIII. - - “Of all that for their fairer forms - “May raise the justest claim; - “Of all that men for beauty prize, - “Or from perfection name: - - -IX. - - “Behold me, first and fairest known, - “Still lov’d and valu’d most; - “Soft daughter of the vernal hour, - “The cultur’d garden’s boast. - - -X. - - “Why deign I then so long with _these_ - “To dwell without reserve; - “That scarce, though vulgar eyes they charm, - “The name of FLOW’R deserve?” - - -XI. - - The blooming Amaranth, unmov’d, - Repress’d her forward pride; - The boaster’s arrogance despis’d, - And wisely thus reply’d; - - -XII. - - “Yes, gaudy thing; thy various hues - “Are fine indeed and gay; - “Glaring thou glitter’st on the sight, - “And flaunt’st it to the day! - - -XIII. - - “No flow’r around more bright can blow, - “In beauty more mature! - “But tell me, false, frail, giddy thing, - “How long shall that endure? - - -XIV. - - “Me, not the least of FLORA’S tribe, - “Me thou hast laugh’d to scorn, - “And deem’d my claim to beauty vain, - “Although cœlestial born. - - -XV. - - “For know, though scarce allow’d by thee - “To rank among the flow’rs; - “From Heav’n I draw my high descent, - “And bloom’d in Eden’s bow’rs. - - -XVI. - - “And still eternal is my race, - “No frail decay I know; - “But, emblem of the first great Spring, - “For ever bloom below. - - -XVII. - - “But thou! the pageant of an hour, - “Too quickly shalt deplore - “Those beauties with’ring all away, - “Which fade, to charm no more. - - -XVIII. - - “_Thou_, wretch! no second Spring shalt see, - “To renovate thy bloom; - “Whilst _I_ survive the stroke of fate, - “And triumph o’er the tomb. - - -XIX. - - “Cease then thy boast! in Wisdom’s lore - “Go learn thyself to know; - “And by _her_ never-failing rule - “Judge all things here below. - - -XX. - - “_A fleeting joy, a fading bloom,_ - “_May charm the ravish’d sight;_ - “_That only which is truly good,_ - “_Is lasting, as ’tis bright._” - -[Illustration: _Fab. XIII. The Youth & Honeysuckle_] - -[Illustration: _Fab. XIV. Belinda & the Blue-bell or Venus’s Looking -Glass_] - - - - -FABLE XIII. - -THE HONEYSUCKLE. - - -I. - - At height of noon, a youth reclin’d - Beneath a woodbine bow’r; - Defended by whose thick’ning shade, - He pass’d the sultry hour, - - -II. - - But when mild breezes cool’d the air, - And length’ning shadows rose; - He scann’d with philosophic mind - The place of his repose. - - -III. - - High over-head the twining boughs, - Where thousand blossoms glow, - Of ev’ry beam of light bereave - The cool alcove below. - - -IV. - - “Ah! (said the youth) ungrateful still! - “And dost thou thus repay - “The bounties of that glorious God, - “Who wak’d thee into day? - - -V. - - “While he in his meridian course - “Illumines wide the sky; - “Dost thou, O wretch, resist his pow’r, - “And all his beams defy? - - -VI. - - “Unlike to thee, ingrate, behold - “The Sun-flow’r drinks his light; - “Lives, to his radiance ever true, - “And with him sinks to night. - - -VII. - - “But like some faithless fav’rite you, - “Or some more faithless fair; - “Spurn at the very pow’r that grac’d, - “And made you what you are. - - -VIII. - - “Oh! useful lesson to be learn’d, - “With scanty hand to pour - “Those blessings, which, when once conferr’d, - “Shall ne’er be thought on more!” - - -IX. - - Unmov’d the beauteous Woodbine heard, - Then, nodding from on high, - Shook the green honours of her brow, - As thus she made reply: - - -X. - - “Vain is the hypocritic plea - “That gilds the selfish end; - “And base the poor unfeeling heart - “That ill repays a friend. - - -XI. - - “For _me_, not such my care ill-plac’d;— - “My blessings unconfin’d, - “I give each gentle breathing air, - “And scatter to the wind. - - -XII. - - “What if my leaves exclude that Pow’r - “By whom thou say’st I live; - “Yet He beholds me, while I bloom, - “A grateful tribute give. - - -XIII. - - “My fragrance, nay, that friendly shade, - “Which you ungrateful blame, - “Are off’rings still to PHŒBUS’ self, - “Who nurs’d them with his flame. - - -XIV. - - “He, for the use of base mankind, - “Bade me all these dispense: - “For whom I spread these vernal charms, - “So pleasing to the sense. - - -XV. - - “Ungrateful THOU, thy ill-meant charge - “Take back, so mis-apply’d: - “And fairly reason with thy heart, - “And check thy selfish pride. - - -XVI. - - “Thou, in my shadows late reclin’d, - “Could’st pass the hours at ease; - “_Then_, what is _now_ ingratitude, - “Thy narrow mind could please. - - -XVII. - - “Take back the charge; thy maxim too; - With thee let others use:— - “Keep THOU this moral in thy mind, - “_T’ enjoy, but not abuse_.” - - - - -FABLE XIV. - -THE BLUE-BELL; or, VENUS’S LOOKING-GLASS. - - -I. - - O’er verdant lawns, and dappled meads, - The young BELINDA stray’d; - On ev’ry tree, on ev’ry flow’r, - Philosophis’d the maid. - - -II. - - The Cowslip, and the Primrose too, - Had oft-times been her theme; - And yellow Crocus’ flaming dyes - Had ting’d her waking dream. - - -III. - - For, roving o’er the pathless grass, - Or through the woodland wild; - She oft with Contemplation walk’d - _Bright Fancy’s sweetest child_. - - -IV. - - Absorb’d and lost in Nature’s maze, - Then rapt from earth she stood; - And, pleas’d, in all his various works, - The great Creator view’d. - - -V. - - ’Twas smiling May; the op’ning year - With vernal grace was crown’d; - And ev’ry plant, and ev’ry flow’r, - Diffus’d fresh fragrance round. - - -VI. - - From cultur’d gardens far remote - The beauteous charmer rov’d; - And listen’d to the birds wild notes, - And rang’d those meads she lov’d. - - -VII. - - To court the touch of her fair hand, - Each field-flow’r eager press’d; - To bask beneath her funny eyes, - And kiss her snowy breast. - - -VIII. - - Amongst the crowd, a flow’r she ’spy’d, - Long since well known to fame; - Of _Venus’ Looking-glass_ whose pride - Assum’d the pompous name. - - -IX. - - “And how! she cry’d, can’st thou display, - “To captivate the sight, - “More than the stream, which yonder rolls - “Its glassy mirrour bright?” - - -X. - - She sought in vain; a bell-shap’d flow’r, - With Vi’let blossoms crown’d: - Diffus’d itself with mingled corn, - And purpled o’er the ground. - - -XI. - - She pluck’d, but strait away she cast - The vain pretender far; - Which angry ruffled all its flow’rs, - In vegetable war: - - -XII. - - “What had bright VENUS’ mirrour done, - “Thus to be cast aside? - “Or how (she said) could VENUS’ Nymph - “The Goddess’ gift deride?” - - -XIII. - - “Peace! angry thing! BELINDA said; - “Not VENUS I despise; - “But _you_, who by your own false glass - “Would cheat deluded eyes. - - -XIV. - - “What boots it thus your high descent, - “As Goddess-born, to claim; - “If not one smallest trace appear - “Of your exalted name? - - -XV. - - “Go! in yon’ _real_ mirrour view - “The form which you possess; - “Then speak but what you _really are_; - “And be your boasting less. - - -XVI. - - “A Blue-bell of the finest dye, - “You well may be allow’d; - “But _Venus’ Looking-glass_ in vain - “Would cheat a giddy crowd.” - - -XVII. - - The haughty flow’r corrected stood.— - Attend, ye British fair: - _Let not_ appearances _prevail_; - _Be_ real worth _your care_. - - -XVIII. - - _And know, whoe’er by vain pretence_ - _Shall others seek to blind;_ - _Must stand abash’d, when brought before_ - _The_ MIRROUR OF THE MIND. - -[Illustration: _Fab XV. The Larkspur & Myrtle_] - -[Illustration: _Fab XVI. The Poppy & Sun-Flower_] - - - - -FABLE XV. - -The LARKSPUR and the MYRTLE. - - -I. - - Fav’rite of MARS, amidst the tribes - That on bright FLORA wait, - And swell the glories of her reign - With more than regal state; - - -II. - - The Larkspur, plant of ancient stock, - Advanc’d his ensign high; - And claim’d th’ immortal wreath of fame, - Due to a Deity. - - -III. - - Like some bold warrior’s is his mien; - Helmet and spurs he wears; - And on his coat of vary’d dyes - Each warlike blazon bears. - - -IV. - - Proud of his form, and of the [17]Pow’r - That from his contact sprung; - Exalted above all his peers, - Thus Pride inspir’d his tongue: - - -V. - - “Ye painted, puling race, avaunt! - “To greater merit yield; - “Forego the honours of the day, - “When I dispute the field. - - -VI. - - “Far hence your tinsel trappings bear - “To some luxuriant bed, - “Where, nurs’d by ZEPHYR’S wanton gales, - “Their idle bloom may spread! - - -VII. - - “In ME behold the warrior’s grace, - “And monarch’s pow’r display’d; - “In me, to Heav’n itself ally’d, - “In martial pomp array’d. - -[17] Juno is said to have conceived Mars by only touching the flower -called Larkspur. - - -VIII. - - “Emblem of thund’ring MARS I rise, - “My boast and offspring too; - “Then own the progeny divine, - “And pay the tribute due.” - - -IX. - - The Myrtle heard;—fair VENUS’ care, - With peaceful honours crown’d; - The glory of the genial hour, - By lovers still renown’d. - - -X. - - “And how! said she, redoubted knight, - “Would’st thou with US engage? - “Did ever MARS, of glory vain, - “Rough wars with VENUS wage? - - -XI. - - “_Her_ flow’r I am; _her_ name I boast, - “Who can mankind subdue; - “And by a gentler method far - “Than any known to you. - - -XII. - - “Say, boaster, what are realms destroy’d - “By many a foughten field; - “When desp’rate battles, bravely won, - “A bloody harvest yield? - - -XIII. - - “Can these atone the dreadful ills - “That wasteful wars supply; - “When from the horrid din of arms - “The Loves and Graces fly? - - -XIV. - - “Remember, when the blue-ey’d Maid - “With NEPTUNE did contend: - “Say, who the greatest gift produc’d; - “And let our contest end. - - -XV. - - “The Palm to PALLAS was decreed, - “Who nam’d fair ATHENS; there - “The warlike steed, great NEPTUNE’S boast, - “Yields to the Olive fair. - - -XVI. - - “Then thou, proud Knight, exult no more, - “Abase thy haughty crest; - “Give honour due to meek-ey’d Peace, - “And Love, her genial guest.” - - -XVII. - - _Let then great_ MARS _his Pow’r resign_ - _To brighter_ VENUS’ _fame;_ - _And quit the glories of the field,_ - _When_ LOVE _disputes the claim_. - - - - -FABLE XVI. - -The POPPY and the SUN-FLOWER. - - -I. - - Transplanted from the neighb’ring mead, - Which long her presence grac’d; - The crimson POPPY rear’d her head, - In the rich garden plac’d. - - -II. - - Thence, fann’d by many a gentle gale, - Full oft her scent is borne; - Both when the ev’ning shades prevail, - And at the rise of morn. - - -III. - - At noon, when ev’n without _her_ aid - The flow’rs all droop’d around; - CLYTIE, bright PHŒBUS’ love-sick maid, - With all _his_ glories crown’d, - - -IV. - - Still turning to his orb her face, - Survey’d th’ intruding guest; - And, foe to ev’ry sleepy pow’r, - The stranger thus address’d; - - -V. - - “Long have we seen each field-flow’r bloom - “Our cultur’d gardens shame: - “Which, hither brought, triumphant rise, - “And share our nobler fame: - - -VI. - - “Thou, drowsy POPPY, too, at last, - “Our rival dost appear, - “Replete with drugs, whose pois’nous strength - “Corrupts the ambient air. - - -VII. - - “But think not here, insulting weed! - “(Fair CERES’ hate and bane) - “Thy drowsy magic shall prevail, - “To blot our brighter reign. - - -VIII. - - “Go, seek thy fields; with noxious weeds - “Divide detested sway: - “Or, where thy slumbers nought disturb, - “Shun the glad face of day. - - -IX. - - “Whilst I, to PHŒBUS ever true, - “Rejoicing in his light; - “To the great God his tribute pay, - “And check the pow’rs of Night.” - - -X. - - She spoke;—The nodding POPPY then, - Serene, made this reply: - “Proud flow’r, I envy not thy state, - “Nor coat of richest dye. - - -XI. - - “What boast’st thou of his genial pow’r, - “Who slighted all thy charms; - “And, in thy beauty’s brightest noon, - “Fled to another’s arms? - - -XII. - - “How didst thou mourn, and how revenge? - “LEUCOTHOE[18] speaks thy crime; - “Whose odours still to Heav’n ascend, - “And shall to latest time. - -[18] Apollo having forsaken Clytie for this Nymph; the former, in -return, informed Leucothoe’s father of his daughter’s amour with -Phœbus. He thereupon buried Leucothoe alive; but Phœbus changed her -into a Frankincense Tree; and after this, Clytie being discarded by the -God, who was beyond measure offended with her, she pined away, and was -changed into a Sun-Flower. - - -XIII. - - “Not _Love_, but _Pity_, mov’d high Heav’n - “To make thee what thou art; - “And place amidst the blooming flow’rs - “A Nymph with broken heart. - - -XIV. - - “Cease then to vaunt thy heav’nly love, - “Nor me so much despise; - “Full plain th’ advantages appear, - “Which from my pow’r arise. - - -XV. - - “Me CERES _hates not_; but my seed - “Great Nature near her sows; - “Where, far unlike a noxious weed, - “The beauteous flow’ret blows. - - -XVI. - - “Sleep, gentle God, the ease of grief, - “To weary man I bring; - “From care and pain the sweetest balm, - “Of vig’rous health the spring. - - -XVII. - - “I, to the wretched friendly still, - “The mourning captives aid; - “My succour to the poor extend, - “And ease the love-sick maid. - - -XVIII. - - “Then what Heav’n order’d for the best, - “Do thou no longer blame: - “Let _me_ old MORPHEUS’ honours share, - “Joy _thou_ in PHŒBUS’ flame. - - -XIX. - - “More need I add?—Search Earth around, - “And thou shalt truly say, - “_More Virtues in Life’s shade will bloom,_ - “_Than in her blaze of day_.” - -[Illustration: _Fab. XVII. The Iris & Rose_] - -[Illustration: _Fab. XVIII. The Nasturtium & Wall flower_] - - - - -FABLE XVII. - -The IRIS, or FLOWER de LUCE, and the ROSE. - - -I. - - Yes, there are some who, proudly vain - Still boast of others’ due; - With empty titles cheat the crowd, - And set false shows to view. - - -II. - - Such ever ancient worth disgrace, - Make real titles scorn’d; - While by bright Honour’s genuine race - Those titles are adorn’d. - - -III. - - The fairest of sweet FLORA’S tribe - Boast not the proudest name; - Nor men, with gaudiest titles deck’d, - Are truest sons of Fame. - - -IV. - - What art thou, bold and spreading flow’r, - In fields and gardens known; - That still assum’st a Monarch’s grace, - And claim’st a Pageant throne? - - -V. - - “Genius of nations, guardian pow’rs, - “That still on Monarchs wait! - “You your own plant shall still protect, - “An emblem of your state. - - -VI. - - “And, Goddess of the painted Bow! - “Still to thy flow’r prove true; - “Ally’d to thee, I justly claim - “Thy name and colours too[19]. - -[19] Iris being the name given to the Rainbow. - - -VII. - - “Which then of all the painted train - “That swell this garden’s pride, - “Shall with my honour’d name compare, - “Or sway with me divide?” - - -VIII. - - This mark’d the ROSE, a modest flow’r, - With maiden blushes bright; - Who, vex’d to hear the boaster’s vaunt, - Asserts her native right. - - -IX. - - “What are thy titles vain, she said, - “That claim superior sway? - “Or why should all fair FLORA’S tribes - “A rule like thine obey? - - -X. - - “False is thy boast; thy title vain - “Not Gallia’s self will own; - “Whose _real_ LILIES droop and fade, - “Where-e’er my flow’rs are known. - - -XI. - - “Why IRIS?—Why by Heav’n’s own bow - “Would’st thou thus climb to fame? - “Or cannot many a vary’d flow’r - “Exert a fairer claim? - - -XII. - - “Plain FLAG thou art;—let that suffice; - “With LILIES I contend; - “But flow’rs like thine I still regard, - “Alike as foe or friend.” - - -XIII. - - The vain pretender heard, abash’d, - And hung her drooping head; - While to the genial fun her leaves - The ROSE expanding spread. - - -XIV. - - Her odour strait proclaim’d her queen - Of all the smiling flow’rs; - While the Bee sought the fragrant breast, - And left his honey’d bow’rs. - - -XV. - - Thus to the ROSE the meed was giv’n; - FLORA confirm’d her reign; - _And worth, like her’s, approv’d by Heav’n,_ - _Shall Heav’n itself maintain_. - - - - -FABLE XVIII. - -The NASTURTIUM and the WALL FLOWER. - - -I. - - Against a funny fence below - The fair NASTURTIUM plac’d, - Beheld how well its highest tops - The fragrant WALL-FLOW’R grac’d. - - -II. - - Without some useful kind support - Unable to survive; - Ill could she bear another flow’r - By the same means should thrive. - - -III. - - At length, one sultry summer’s noon, - When radiant PHŒBUS shone - On both alike with chearing ray, - She envious thus begun: - - -IV. - - “Had I the WALL-FLOW’R’S fragrant scent, - “Would I alone thus bloom; - “On yonder peak obscurely dwell, - “And waste my rich perfume! - - -V. - - “For shame, yield to inferior flow’rs - “That strange and uncouth place; - “Nor, like some noxious worthless weed, - “Nurse there thy beauteous race. - - -VI. - - “Besides, _I_ claim the humbler boon, - “Against this fence to blow; - “While thee the more indulgent Heav’n - “May safely place below.” - - -VII. - - She spoke;—the WALL-FLOW’R thus reply’d, - “Ambition is not mine; - “My native place is still my joy: - “Do thou delight in thine. - - -VIII. - - “Full well I know that perils still - “On frequent change attend: - “And they oft spoil their present state, - “Who hasty strive to mend. - - -IX. - - “Nor less can I _thy_ drift observe, - “Who, envious of my lot, - “Would’st me of ev’ry help bereave, - “Drawn from my native spot. - - -X. - - “Too selfish flow’r, who vainly this - “Would’st me of life deprive; - “And by my downfall think’st to rise, - “And on my ruin thrive. - - -XI. - - “Know, that th’ all-chearing lamp of day - “On both alike bestows - “His sov’reign gifts; for All his light - “Without distinction glows. - - -XII. - - “Is not that source of genial fire - “Sufficient _both_ to warm, - “That thou should’st thus unkindly seek - “Thy quiet neighbour’s harm? - - -XIII. - - “And what if I consenting give, - “Ambitious! thy desire? - “Were I now low in ashes laid, - “Say, could’st thou climb the higher? - - -XIV. - - “For shame, th’ ungen’rous wish forego, - “Rejoice in others’ joy; - “And lengthen’d scenes of double bliss - “Shall all thy hours employ. - - -XV. - - “For know, where Envy’s pow’r prevails, - “Peace, Love, and Joy, retire: - “Her vot’ries feel eternal pains, - “And burn with ceaseless fire.” - - -XVI. - - _Felicity with Concord dwells;_ - _And ev’ry joy of peace_ - _Heav’n’s sacred hand still bounteous gives,_ - _And blesses the increase._ - -[Illustration: _Fab. XIX. The Lapland Rose._] - -[Illustration: _Fab. XX. The Deadly Nightshade._] - - - - -FABLE XIX. - -THE LAPLAND ROSE. - - -I. - - A wand’ring youth, by Fortune led - To bleakest northern shores, - Beyond the track of Russian wilds, - Where Lapland’s tempest roars; - - -II. - - Who twice the Arctic circle pass’d, - And view’d bright HECLA’S[20] flame; - At length, through many a waste of snow, - To fair NIEMI[21] came. - -[20] A Volcano in the North, whose sides are covered with snow. - -[21] The Mountains of NIEMI are in the neighbourhood of a lake of the -same name, which is said by the inhabitants to be frequented by the -immortal Genii. - - -III. - - And thence where TENGLIO[22] rolls his stream, - Survey’d the prospect round; - Beheld its banks with verdure deck’d, - And blushing roses crown’d. - -[22] This River is bordered with Roses of as fine a bloom as those -which grow in our gardens. - - -IV. - - Stuck with the scene, a while he paus’d, - As lost in sweet delight; - And ey’d the fairest of the train - In native beauty bright. - - -V. - - Yet, as he view’d the stranger flow’r, - He deeply musing cries, - “How strange that beauties such as thine - “’Midst climes like these should rise! - - -VI. - - “Thee no bright youth nor gentle fair - “Alas! shall e’er caress; - “Nor splendid southern suns shall warm, - “Nor genial gales shall bless!” - - -VII. - - On hollow winds, o’er distant plains, - The murm’ring accents flew; - NIEMI’S mountains caught the sound, - Which from the lake his shadows drew. - - -VIII. - - And now before the youth confess’d - The Genius of the clime - Appear’d; who thus instructive spoke, - In awful strains sublime; - - -IX. - - “Fond youth, who view’st that beauteous flow’r, - “So luckless in thy fight! - “Forbear to mourn her lonely state, - “Whom these rude climes delight. - - -X. - - “Unrival’d here she sweetly blooms, - “And scents the ambient air; - “Nor deems her brightest beauties lost, - “While foster’d by _my_ care. - - -XI. - - “Nor envies she the gaudy tribe - “Beneath the southern skies, - “That bloom in some luxurious bow’rs, - “Where mingled sweets arise. - - -XII. - - “The child of bounteous Nature! here - “She bids her bloom dispense - “Fresh sweets, the trav’ler’s soul to chear, - “And glad his weary’d sense. - - -XIII. - - “Her no bright youth nor gaudy fair - “Shall COURT _but to_ DESTROY; - “But Lapland’s simple swains shall view, - “With _unaffected joy_; - - -XIV. - - “And, oft’ as yon’ returning Sun - “Illumes our northern sphere, - “Well pleas’d shall trace these flow’ry banks, - “And pay their homage here. - - -XV. - - “Let _others_ seek where spacious meads, - “Or painted gardens glow; - “Despise _my_ solitary flow’rs, - “And live the slaves of show. - - -XVI. - - “But know, high Heav’n in desart wastes - “Can bid rich Spring to bloom; - “And waken Nature into life, - “From Winter’s dreary tomb. - - -XVII. - - “The gracious Pow’r who rules on high, - “Bids ALL his blessings share; - “And ev’ry creature of his hand - “Is govern’d by his care. - - -XVIII. - - “Convinc’d that Providence will thus - “For ALL alike provide; - “_Learn to restrain Affliction’s tears,_ - “_And check the boast of Pride_.” - - - - -FABLE XX. - -The DEADLY NIGHTSHADE[23]. - - -I. - - “Detested weed, enrag’d, I said, - “That spread’st thy poison’d train - “In this fair land, midst blooming flow’rs, - “Which grace the happy plain! - - -II. - - “Thy baleful root most surely springs - “From deep Tartarean shade; - “By envious Dæmons nurs’d below, - “In Stygian gloom array’d. - -[23] The juice of this weed was generally supposed to be used in -Enchantments—There are however several sorts of it, all of which are -not esteemed deadly; but only this mentioned here, the juice of whose -berries so intoxicated the army of Sweno the Danish King, being mixed -in their liquor, that they became an easy prey to the Scotch army, -which surprised and cut most of them to pieces. - - -III. - - “Thee CIRCE, and MEDÆA too, - “In black enchantment us’d; - “With baneful plants most fitly mix’d, - “In hellish steams suffus’d. - - -IV. - - “Ah! why does Parent NATURE form, - “Such works, _her_ works to spoil; - “And by _her own hand_ teach mankind, - “Infernal arts and guile? - - -V. - - “Say, fell Enchantress of the plain, - “The foe of human-kind? - “Say for what crimes man’s hapless race - “From thee such evils find! - - -VI. - - “Oh! quit the woods, the plains, the fields, - “Where health and plenty bloom: - “Retire to rocks and desart-wilds, - “Or shade the Murd’rer’s tomb. - - -VII. - - “Or rather haste to PLUTO’S realm; - “_There_ hide thy hated head, - “And flourish still unrival’d there; - “Where Styx’ nine streams are spread. - - -VIII. - - “But _here_ may ev’ry healing flow’r - “In prime of beauty bloom: - “To sick’ning Man restoring health, - “And shedding rich perfume!” - - -IX. - - I ceas’d—The Flow’r indignant heard; - And all its leaves display’d - A deep’ning gloom, which flung around - _A double_ NIGHT OF SHADE. - - -X. - - “Insulting Man!” she trembling cry’d, - “Of creatures most unjust; - “Still taxing Nature with those faults, - “Sprung from _his_ evil lust. - - -XI. - - “The poison’d Snake, the noxious Weed, - “Earth’s venom’d juices drain; - “And, more than all yon’ fragrant flow’rs, - “Enrich with health the plain. - - -XII. - - “Nay of _my race_ grows many a plant, - “Which, of rich gifts possest, - “The sage Physician culls with care, - “To ease the Patient’s breast. - - -XIII. - - “Let Man his own wild passions tame, - “And hush them into Peace; - “MEDÆA’S wand, and CIRCE’S cup, - “Were innocent to _these_. - - -XIV. - - “For ME, great Nature’s high behest; - “Contented I fulfil; - “Nor dream that aught by _her_ ordain’d, - “Can ever end in _ill_. - - -XV. - - “_Go thou, fond youth, and_ VIRTUE’S _charge_ - “_With equal care obey:_ - “_Then ev’ry Weed shall prove a Flow’r,_ - “_To strew thy destin’d way._” - -[Illustration: _Fab. XXI. The Crown Imperial and Heartsease._] - -[Illustration: _Fab. XXII. The Water Lily._] - - - - -FABLE XXI. - -The CROWN IMPERIAL and HEART’S-EASE. - - -I. - - Lo! where from Persia’s warmer clime, - And ancient Bactria’s land; - With interwoven purple wrought, - The ensign of command, - - -II. - - The CROWN IMPERIAL rears aloft - His rich and gorgeous head, - And, pointing to the distant sky, - Bids all his glories spread. - - -III. - - Beneath, in humbler station plac’d, - The fair VIOLA grew, - Which the lov’d name of _Heart’s-Ease_ bears, - Whose pow’r can Care subdue. - - -IV. - - The purple monarch swell’d with ire, - Indignant to behold - The flow’ret blooming near his side, - And thus his anger told; - - -V. - - “Rash flow’r, seest thou my aweful state, - “That speaks the garden’s king? - “See’st thou th’ Imperial Crown that decks, - “And gems that round me spring. - - -VI. - - “I from the East my lineage draw, - “Where chief of flow’rs I rise; - “And amidst thousands raise my fame, - “Ev’n to the starry skies. - - -VII. - - “Go then, base daughter of the earth! - “Near some vile cottage grow; - “Nor give thy paltry race to rise - “Where my bright blossoms blow!” - - -VIII. - - The sweet VIOLA inly mourn’d - The boaster’s ill-plac’d pride; - And, while this answer she return’d, - The flow’r with pity ey’d: - - -IX. - - “Great is the boast, I own, she said, - “Of pomp and scepter’d pow’r; - “But _greater_ are the blessings found - “In life’s serener hour. - - -X. - - “_Thee_ purple honours still adorn, - “Which teach thy leaves to shine; - “But to breathe fragrance on the day, - “Proud plant! was never _thine_. - - -XI. - - “That _I_ am stranger to thy race, - “The cause is plain to tell; - “For when did _Heart’s-Ease_ ever deign - “With _crowned heads_ to dwell? - - -XII. - - “ME still in life’s more humble vale - “Most certain will you find; - “There most _my_ simple sweets are known, - “Where Fortune proves least kind. - - -XIII. - - “Go learn, _That neither wealth nor pomp_ - “_True blessings can bestow_; - “_On sweet_ CONTENT _alone await_ - “_All joy and bliss below_.” - - - - -FABLE XXII. - -THE WATER LILY. - - -I. - - Within a crystal riv’let bright, - Whose sides, with verdure crown’d, - From shelving banks reflected wide - The landscape bord’ring round, - - -II. - - A WATER LILY peaceful rear’d - Her lovely, graceful head; - And on the gently-heaving stream - Her beauteous flow’rs were spread. - - -III. - - Thence she beheld the banks with flow’rs - Of various kinds array’d; - And nodding trees, that far dispers’d - Their over-hanging shade; - - -IV. - - For there the lofty Poplar grew, - Still mingling white with green; - And there the rustling Aspin too - With trembling leaves was seen. - - -V. - - The Willow, nodding o’er the brook, - Drinks deep the stream below; - Cowslip and Primrose near at hand, - And purple Iris glow. - - -VI. - - The LILY saw, and to the lake - Thus soft-complaining cry’d, - While gentle ZEPHYRS bore the sound, - Which spread from side to side: - - -VII. - - “Ah hapless lot! while _others_ bloom - “On yonder happy shore, - “Amongst their kindred tribes—_my_ fate - “Here lonely I deplore. - - -VIII. - - “Condemn’d amid this watry waste - “For ever to remain; - “Nor taste the joys which _others_ know - “On yonder flow’ry plain.” - - -IX. - - The GODDESS OF THE WATER heard, - And Anger mov’d her heart; - “How dar’st thou thus affront (she said) - “The Pow’r by which thou ART? - - -X. - - “Those other trees and flow’rs thou see’st, - “ALL sprang from Mother Earth: - “And grateful tribute ALL return - “To Her who gave them birth. - - -XI. - - “While _thou_, alas! should _I_ withdraw - “The least of this my store; - “Shalt call on _other_ Pow’rs in vain, - “And sink, to rise no more. - - -XII. - - “Beauteous thou art, nor meanly priz’d: - “Then lay no blame on me; - “Nor seek what, though it _others_ bless, - “Must surely ruin _thee_. - - -XIII. - - “But still revere this facted truth, - “_Whatever may betide_; - “_What Heav’n decrees is always_ BEST, - “_And all is_ BAD _beside_.” - -[Illustration: _Fab. XXIII. The Lover & Funeral Flowers_] - -[Illustration: _Fab. XXIV. The Field & Garden Daisy_] - - - - -FABLE XXIII. - -The FUNERAL FLOWERS. - - -I. - - As, lonely walking o’er the plain, - With solemn step and slow, - A hapless swain, at midnight hour, - Went forth to vent his woe; - - -II. - - His hand the sweetest flow’rets fill’d - That glow’d with beauty’s bloom; - Now destin’d with their richest tints - T’ adorn his LAURA’S tomb. - - -III. - - Lo! there each mournful flow’r he strew’d, - Which vernal FLORA bears; - With frequent sighs dispers’d them round, - And water’d them with tears. - - -IV. - - There was the VI’LET’S purple hue, - And HYACINTHUS seen; - The leaves with monarch’s names inscrib’d, - And plaintive notes between. - - -V. - - Sweet ROSEMARY, and many a plant - In Eastern gardens known; - And Lover’s MYRTLE, which the Queen - Of Beauty deigns to own. - - -VI. - - A Sage, who wander’d there alone - In the dank dews of night, - To gather plants of mystic pow’r, - Beneath the moon’s pale light, - - -VII. - - With scornful smile, and eye askance, - The hapless youth survey’d; - Who paid the last sad tribute there - To the departed maid. - - -VIII. - - “And what! (said he) shall those sweet flow’rs, - “Which sinking life can save, - “And plants of aromatic scent, - “Adorn a _dreary grave_? - - -IX. - - “For shame, fond youth! learn Nature’s gifts - “With better skill to prize. - “Attend her precepts; read them here: - “Be _frugal_, and be _wise_.” - - -X. - - He ceas’d; the sighing youth reply’d, - “To LAURA’S shade I give, - “Unblam’d, each emblematic flow’r, - “Which _she_ first taught to live. - - -XI. - - “And frequent here fair FLORA’S train - “_Uncull’d by_ ME shall bloom; - “And, nurs’d by bright AURORA’S tears, - “Diffuse their rich perfume. - - -XII. - - “Then urge me not, with narrow mind, - “To wrong the dust below; - “But rather THOU expand thy heart, - “And gen’rous tears bestow.” - - -XIII. - - Thus as he spoke, the REDBREAST mild, - The friend of human-kind, - Wide scatter’d leaves o’er the low mound, - And on the turf reclin’d. - - -XIV. - - While PHILOMEL with plaintive notes - Funereal dirges sung - O’er LAURA’S tomb, who oft’ in life - Had mourn’d _her_ ravish’d young. - - -XV. - - And vain (she sang) was Wisdom’s lore, - That taught the heart to hide; - And vain the empty idle boast - Of Philosophic Pride. - - -XVI. - - The flow’rs more sweetly seem’d to smile - Reviving at her lay; - And sweeter scent, and fresher green, - The swelling leaves display. - - -XVII. - - The Sage stood check’d, the solemn song - Such virtue could impart; - He dropp’d a tear, to pity due, - That humaniz’d the heart. - - -XVIII. - - The “graceful softness of the soul” - He learn’d thenceforth to prize; - And own’d, _where_ NATURE _touch’d the Heart,_ - _’Twas_ FOLLY _to be_ WISE. - - - - -FABLE XXIV. - -The FIELD and GARDEN DAISY. - - -I. - - In fields, where Thames her swelling wave - Translucent pours along; - Where many a blooming green retreat - Inspires the poet’s song; - - -II. - - A mead with native beauty crown’d, - Extends its verdant bed; - Where fragrant Field-flow’rs wildly bloom, - In sweet confusion spread. - - -III. - - It chanc’d a sportive youth had there - A GARDEN DAISY rear’d, - Which ’midst the tribe of wilder sort - Full haughtily appear’d. - - -IV. - - “Away! (she cry’d) ye meaner train, - “Whose leaves no culture know; - “Respect the Cultivated Flower, - “That _deigns_ in fields to grow! - - -V. - - “And chiefly _thou_ that boast’st _my_ name, - “Though surely _not ally’d_; - “Claim kindred with thy native weeds, - “Nor flourish by _my_ side! - - -VI. - - “I know thee not;—thy form I scorn; - “In native splendour bright - “IRIS has dipp’d my painted leaves, - “All beauteous to the sight. - - -VII. - - “Whilst THOU!—but vainly spent the time, - “On such a flow’r bestow’d: - “Disdain’d by all the Garden’s tribes, - “_My_ late belov’d abode. - - -VIII. - - “Know ME your queen, ye low-born race, - “Confess superior sway; - “Nor longer in my presence bloom, - “But tremble, and obey.” - - -IX. - - “To foul reproach (the DAISY said) - “What answer can we yield, - “When _cultivated flow’rs_ insult - “The natives of the field? - - -X. - - “Yet what art THOU? proud gaudy toy, - “Descended but from me, - “Who mourn too late I e’er gave birth - “To such Ingrates as thee! - - -XI. - - “I have my use, and oft’ am seen - “The village maids t’ adorn: - “Go prouder _thou_, in gardens bloom, - “And be the great-ones scorn. - - -XII. - - “But here, proud flow’r, thy date is short, - “The soil denies thee room; - “And ev’n this spot, where now thou swell’st, - “Shall shortly prove thy tomb.” - - -XIII. - - The Sun gaz’d hot, the foreign field - No moisture would supply; - Soon did the boaster droop her head, - And wither, fade, and die. - - -XIV. - - What need I more?—The village swain, - While on the sod reclin’d, - Feels the plain Moral of the Tale - Deep graven on his mind. - -[Illustration: _Fab. XXV. The Pinks and Arbutus._] - -[Illustration: _Fab. XXVI. The Cockscomb & Sweetwilliam._] - - - - -FABLE XXV. - -The PINKS and ARBUTUS. - - -I. - - Virtue, the growth of ev’ry clime, - Alike should be rever’d; - Whether from distant regions brought, - Or in _our_ country rear’d. - - -II. - - Rome, the great mistress of the world, - Such height had ne’er attain’d; - The train of worth in ev’ry land - Had her proud sons disdain’d. - - -III. - - From _foreign_ arms, from _foreign_ arts, - Her _native_ glory rose; - And more than half her boasted state - She borrow’d from her foes. - - -IV. - - Vain is that boast of selfish pride, - Which deems no worth is found, - But in the narrow sphere confin’d - Of its own native ground. - - -V. - - Though not to foreign lands, untaught, - We need for Virtue roam; - Yet real Virtue, nurs’d abroad, - Should be rever’d at home.— - - -VI. - - On fair Ierne’s happy shore - A tall ARBUTUS plac’d, - Bloom’d near a sweetly-cultur’d spot, - By PINKS unnumber’d grac’d, - - -VII. - - ’Twas on the border of that lake[24], - Where vary’d prospects rise, - Of sunny hills, o’er-hanging rocks, - And low’ring misty skies; - -[24] The Lake of Killarney, most romantically situated in the county of -Kerry, in Ireland, where the Arbutus tree is found, which bears a most -beautiful blossom, and a fruit sometimes used for food, and which is -supposed to have been transplanted thither from Italy. - - -VIII. - - SELINA, wand’ring near the Lake, - The foreign tree survey’d; - “And bloom’st thou ’midst our native Flow’rs?” - Exclaim’d the redd’ning maid— - - -IX. - - “O could these hands thy root remove! - “But since that may not be, - “Far I’ll transplant my fragrant Race, - “Now plac’d too near to thee.” - - -X. - - She said—when strait before her stood - An ancient Hermit grave; - With silver’d locks and streaming beard, - The tenant of the cave; - - -XI. - - “Desist, fond maid! the Hermit cry’d, - “Lest these thy favour’d flow’rs - “Should die, if hastily remov’d - “From these their well-known bow’rs; - - -XII. - - “What if the tall ARBUTUS share - “Th’ indulgence of thy land; - “Do not his sweetly fragrant flow’rs - “As fair a lot demand? - - -XIII. - - “Nor let IERNE’S children grieve, - “Where foreign worth is shown; - “But learn with cultivating care - “To make that worth _their own_. - - -XIV. - - “For thee, fair maid—the patriot flame - “Still nourish in thy breast: - “But let that flame by Reason’s rules - “Be modell’d and repress’d. - - -XV. - - “Know that thy country’s weal depends - “Not on _herself_ alone; - “But each assisting hand that strives - “To fix fair Freedom’s throne. - - -XVI. - - “Commerce and Stores from other lands - “Your glories still increase; - “Encourage then the golden stream, - “And ev’ry art of peace. - - -XVII. - - “Nor foreign Flow’rs, nor foreign Plants, - “Deny a fost’ring place; - “When those fair Plants or blooming Flow’rs - “Bring Profit, Sweet, or Grace. - - -XVIII. - - “Reject alone the idle weed, - “That blooms but to destroy; - “To cultivate the rest with care - “Your utmost skill employ.” - - -XIX. - - He ceas’d;—the Nymph her task forsook, - And still together bloom - The beautous Tree, and fragrant Flow’rs, - Whence ZEPHYRS steal perfume. - - - - -FABLE XXVI. - -The COCK’S COMB and SWEET WILLIAM. - - -I. - - High rose the Sun, the fleeting hours - Verg’d tow’rds meridian height, - And all around the glitt’ring scene - Was lost in floods of light. - - -II. - - The flocks and herds, that graz’d awhile, - Now left the sunny glade; - And in the stream their fervour cool’d, - Or sought the shelt’ring shade. - - -III. - - Beneath a high projected fence, - At this irradiate hour, - The sweet _Dianthus_[25] humbly blew, - A solitary Flow’r. - -[25] Another name for Sweet William. - - -IV. - - But where a thousand mingling sweets - Diffus’d a rich perfume; - The gaudy COCK’S COMB, idly vain, - Appear’d in all its bloom. - - -V. - - And “Matchless excellence!” he cry’d, - “With ME what can compare? - “The sweetest of the vernal train - “Were never half so fair. - - -VI. - - “My crested head erect I rear, - “And bloom with matchless grace; - “The brightest hue my leaves adorns, - “Of all the flow’ry race. - - -VII. - - “Nay, to immortal pow’rs a-kin, - “Descent from Heav’n I claim[26]; - “And from eternal-blooming Flow’rs - “Derive my honour’d name.” - -[26] This Flower is a kind of Bastard Amaranth. - - -VIII. - - I view’d the Plant, its form admir’d; - When a more modest Flow’r - Engag’d my eye, where soft it rose - Within its lonely bow’r. - - -IX. - - “Sweet tribes, (he sang,) fair FLORA’S care, - “What beauties you display! - “My breast expands with social joy - “To see your bright array. - - -X. - - “To _me_, the last of flow’rets, give, - “Within this pale to grow: - “And give the west winds gentle breath - “O’er this my bed to blow.” - - -XI. - - He spoke—the pow’rs indulgent heard, - Soft ZEPHYRS fann’d the trees; - And o’er his humble earthy bed - Diffus’d a gentle breeze. - - -XII. - - Smit with the fragrance of the scent - The winds rejoicing bore; - I own’d the pow’r of modest worth, - Whose rival charm’d no more[27]. - - -XIII. - - Say, Fair-ones, is the Moral plain, - In easy Fable drest? - It is but this—_To Merit true,_ - _Throw Coxcombs from your breast_. - -[27] The Cock’s Comb being a gaudy Flower, without any agreeable smell -to recommend it. - -[Illustration: _Fab. XXVII. The Jasmine and Hemlock._] - -[Illustration: _Fab. XXVIII. The Carnation and Southernwood._] - - - - -FABLE XXVII. - -The JASMINE and HEMLOCK. - - -I. - - Tow’ring aloft, a JASMINE sweet - In a rich garden stood; - And thence, nurs’d by wild Nature’s care, - The neighb’ring HEMLOCK view’d. - - -II. - - High o’er the pale the angry flow’r - Rear’d her affronted head; - And, glowing in her vernal bloom, - She thus contemptuous said: - - -III. - - “Say, worse than Aconite, pernicious weed! - “How dar’st thou here to grow; - “And thy detested head advance, - “Near where my blossoms blow?” - - -IV. - - The angry HEMLOCK strait reply’d, - “Thou proud insulting thing! - “Vain is thy pride, and vain thy boast, - “Though deck’d by gaudy Spring. - - -V. - - “Thou, in the blooming garden plac’d, - “May’st please the roving eye. - “I in some field or secret shade - “My useful aid supply. - - -VI. - - “Nay, scornful flow’r! what I declare, - “Great Nature’s self will own: - “Ordaining all things fair and good, - “When once their use is known. - - -VII. - - “Go ask of genial BACCHUS’ tree, - “Where purple clusters glow; - “(Whose juice produces gen’rous wine, - “The balm of human woe.) - - -VIII. - - “Go ask what various ills attend, - “That precious balm’s abuse: - “Ills that too surely ev’n exceed - “Those of my baneful juice. - - -IX. - - “Yet baneful _where_? when _mis-apply’d_; - “So is each blessing too. - “This lesson learn, and know thyself; - “Nor rob me of my due. - - -X. - - “Me the grave Leech, who, greatly wise, - “Turns Nature’s volume o’er, - “Oft snatches from my low abode, - “And places in his store. - - -XI. - - “There, amongst health-bestowing plants, - “He ranks my honour’d name; - “And, whilst he well employs _my_ pow’rs, - “Exalts _himself_ to fame. - - -XII. - - “Thus death and life alike are _mine_, - “Neither to _thee_ belong: - “Though oft’ by poets most admir’d, - “The theme of idle song. - - -XIII. - - “Be thou so still; but ne’er despise - “Those gifts thou canst not share: - “But keep this maxim in thy heart, - “_The_ USEFUL _is the_ FAIR.” - - -XIV. - - She said—abash’d the JASMINE heard, - And hung her drooping head; - She saw, _That_ NATURE’S _works were good_, - And all her Boasting fled. - - - - -FABLE XXVIII. - -The CARNATION and SOUTHERNWOOD. - - -I. - - Rich in a thousand beauteous dyes, - The sweet CARNATION stood; - While with a proud disdainful eye - The SOUTHERNWOOD she view’d. - - -II. - - “Great is thy Pride,” the flow’r exclaim’d, - “To place thee near my side; - “For ev’n to grow in this retreat, - “Argues thy matchless pride. - - -III. - - “Say, what art thou, thyself no flow’r, - “That dar’st intrude thee here; - “’Midst plants fit for a prince’s bow’r, - “Flow’rs fit for kings to wear? - - -IV. - - “Whate’er I am,” the Plant reply’d, - “My post I well maintain; - “And chearful lend my needful aid, - “Where thine, alas! were vain. - - -V. - - “Say, could thy flow’rs of brightest dye - “_Infection’s_ force withstand? - “Ah! what could all thy beauties do, - “If plagues laid waste the land? - - -VI. - - “Mean as I am, the task is mine, - “To purge th’ unwholesome air; - “To clear the brain, the blood refine, - “And seat HYGEIA[28] there. - -[28] The Goddess of Health. - - -VII. - - “Nay farther still;—thyself shalt own - “How oft’ I’m join’d with thee; - “And thy bright blossoms brighter bloom, - “Because they’re plac’d by me. - - -VIII. - - “Are not the _various tints_, which deck - “This scene, the Florist’s pride? - “ME then, imperious! venerate - “For pow’rs to thee deny’d.— - - -IX. - - “Say, if each warbler of the grove - “Should chuse the self-same strain; - “Would the tir’d ear the concert please, - “Or wish to hear again? - - -X. - - “Nature, who made us what we are, - “Did diff’rent gifts impart; - “And gave to all their portion due - “Of her all-plastic art. - - -XI. - - “Contented then in diff’rent spheres - “Unenvying let us move: - “For this must still most grateful be - “To THOSE who rule above. - - -XII. - - “_Me_ let _thy_ sweetest fragrance grace, - “Ev’n from the early May; - “And _thee_ will _I_ in gardens fair - “With sov’reign balm repay. - - -XIII. - - “For, thus united while we stand, - “We need to ask no more; - “While mutually we take and give, - “We double all our _store_.” - - -XIV. - - Prudent she said;—her rival, pleas’d, - Adopts the smelling green; - And one for _Use_, and one for _Show_, - Together now are seen. - - -XV. - - Learn hence, _That various talents giv’n_ - _Mean variously to bless:_ - _And thus on mutual wants kind Heav’n_ - _Builds mutual Happiness_. - -[Illustration: _Fab. XXIX. Field Flower & Rosemary._] - -[Illustration: _Fab. XXX. Judgement of the Flowers._] - - - - -FABLE XXIX. - -The ROSEMARY and FIELD FLOWER. - - -I. - - Upon the fam’d HYPANIS’ banks, - By chance, in days of yore, - A tuft of Rosemary there grew, - Which scented all the shore. - - -II. - - And near at hand a Field-flow’r rear - Its variegated head; - And view’d full many a spacious track, - With dreary desarts spread. - - -III. - - But where the river roll’d its stream, - Unnumber’d insects swarm’d; - Which rose in myriads into life, - By PHŒBUS’ influence warm’d[29]. - -[29] On the banks of the river Hypanis, there is a sort of insect, -whose life is said only to extend from the rising to the setting of the -sun. - - -IV. - - The same revolving day that saw - Their scene of life begun, - Beheld them sink to dust again, - With the declining sun. - - -V. - - And one of these, at noon-tide hour, - (The hardiest of his race) - Urg’d to the Field-flow’r bright and gay - His quick and eager pace. - - -VI. - - But when no fragrant scent he found - In that same flow’r so bright; - He to the sweeter Rosemary - Immediate urg’d his flight. - - -VII. - - The _lasting_ aromatic plant, - His speed with wonder view’d; - Advis’d him other flow’rs to seek, - Nor on her spot intrude. - - -VIII. - - “And how can I for _thee_ (she said) - “My happier pow’rs display, - “Or with my lasting flow’r support - “The insect of a day? - - -IX. - - “Sure Nature form’d thy race in sport, - “Continual to destroy; - “Nor ever meant thy race to taste - “One pure, substantial joy.” - - -X. - - “Not so,” the wiser Insect cry’d, - “My high descent I claim - “From PHŒBUS’ self—you cannot more, - “Nor wish a higher name. - - -XI. - - “What if to me a shorter date - “By Nature’s law is giv’n; - “Each moment that I live, _t’ enjoy_, - “Is all I ask of Heav’n. - - -XII. - - “Beneath the Mushroom’s spacious shade, - “Or in the mossy bow’r, - “Or still at noon as _now_ reclin’d, - “Beneath some fragrant flow’r. - - -XIII. - - “Know, that as much of life I trace - “In one revolving sun; - “As yonder herds, whose destin’d course - “Full many an age has run. - - -XIV. - - “For equal are great Nature’s gifts, - “And but an idle dream; - “The boast of time, which glides away - “Swift as the passing stream. - - -XV. - - “Well to employ the present hour, - “Sweet plant, be ever thine; - “LIFE’S little day, _when once elaps’d_, - “_Shall seem as short as_ MINE.” - - - - -FABLE XXX. - -The JUDGEMENT of FLOWERS. - - -I. - - Far from the busy haunts of men, - Far from the glaring eye of day; - Still Fancy paints, with Nature’s pen, - Such tints as never can decay. - - -II. - - Hast thou not seen, at ev’ning hour, - When PHŒBUS sunk beneath the main, - Reclin’d in some sequester’d bow’r, - The village maid, or shepherd swain? - - -III. - - Hast thou not mark’d them cull with care - Some favour’d flow’ret from the rest, - To deck the breast, or bind the hair, - Of those they priz’d and lov’d the best? - - -IV. - - And still expressive of the mind - The emblematic gift was found; - Whether to mournful thought inclin’d, - Or with triumphant gladness crown’d.— - - -V. - - Near AVON’S banks, a cultur’d spot, - With many a tuft of flow’rs adorn’d, - Was once an aged shepherd’s lot, - Who scenes of greater splendor scorn’d. - - -VI. - - Three beauteous daughters bless’d his bed, - Who made the little plat their care; - And ev’ry sweet by FLORA spread - Attentive still they planted there. - - -VII. - - Once, when still ev’ning veil’d the sky, - The sire walk’d forth, and sought the bow’r; - And bade the lovely maids draw nigh, - And each select some favour’d flow’r. - - -VIII. - - The first, with radiant splendor charm’d, - A variegated Tulip chose: - The next, with love of beauty charm’d, - Preferr’d the sweetly-blushing Rose. - - -IX. - - The third, who mark’d, with depth of thought, - How those bright Flow’rs must droop away, - An Ev’ning Primrose only brought, - Which opens with the closing day. - - -X. - - The sage a while in silence view’d - The various choice of flow’rs display’d; - And then (with wisdom’s gift endu’d) - Address’d each beauteous list’ning maid! - - -XI. - - “Who chose the Tulip’s splendid dyes, - “Shall own, too late, when that decays, - “That, vainly proud, not greatly wise, - “She only caught a short-liv’d blaze. - - -XII. - - “The Rose, though beauteous leaves and sweet - “Its glorious vernal pride adorn: - “Let her who chose beware to meet - “The biting sharpness of its thorn. - - -XIII. - - “But _she_, who to fair day-light’s train - “The Ev’ning flow’r more just preferr’d; - “Chose real worth, nor chose in vain - “The one great object of regard. - - -XIV. - - “Ambitious _thou_! the Tulip race - “In all life’s vary’d course beware: - “Caught with sweet Pleasure’s rosy grace, - “Do _thou_ its sharper thorns beware. - - -XV. - - “_Thou_ prudent still to Virtue’s lore, - “Attend, and mark her counsels sage! - “She like _thy flow’r_ has sweets in store, - “To soothe the ev’ning of thine age.” - - -XVI. - - He ceas’d—attend the moral strain, - The Muse enlighten’d pours; - Nor let her pencil trace in vain - The Judgement of the Flow’rs. - - -FINIS. - - - - - _This Day is published_, - - - For the Use of Young Ladies Boarding Schools, - Price only Two Shillings, bound in Red, - Dedicated, by Permission, to the Right Honourable - Lady ELIZABETH KERR, - CHOICE EMBLEMS, - Natural, Historical, Fabulous Moral, - and Divine, - For the Improvement and Pastime of Youth. - - Embellished with near Fifty Allegorical Devices: With - pleasing and familiar Descriptions to each, in - Prose and Verse. - - The whole calculated to convey the golden Lessons of - Instruction, under a new and more delightful Dress. - - By the AUTHOR of FABLES OF FLOWERS. - - “Say, should the philosophic mind disdain - “That good, which makes each humbler bosom vain? - “Let school-taught Pride dissemble all it can, - “These little Things are great to little Man.” - - The Editor of the British Magazine for the Month - of April last observes, that “the Language of the - above ingenious Performance is easy; the Allegories - well chosen; the Instruction useful and important; - and the Whole, properly calculated to make a deep and - lasting Impression on the soft and ductile Minds of - Youth.——At the same Time, that many of maturer Age - may read it with Pleasure and Profit.” For a more - particular Examination of its approved Merit, see the - Town and Country and Wheble’s Lady’s Magazine for - January; the Monthly and Critical Review for April - last, &c. &c. - - _N. B. An elegant Edition of the above Book is - preparing for the Press, with the Addition of near - Fifty new Emblems, never before published, all written - by the same Author, which will be ornamented with near - One Hundred beautiful Copper-plates, engraved in the - most masterly Stile._ - - - Books Printed for G. RILEY, in May Fair. - - _This Day is Published_, - In Two Volumes, price 5s. sewed, or 6s. bound, - - Dedicated to Their Royal Highnesses GEORGE - AUGUSTUS FREDERICK, Prince of Wales; - and Prince FREDERICK, Bishop of Osnaburgh. - - THE VIZIRS; - OR, THE - INCHANTED LABYRINTH, - - An Oriental Tale. - - By the AUTHOR of that much admired performance, The WAR - of the BEASTS, The TRANSMIGRATION of HERMES, ABBASSAI, - &c. &c. - - For an account of this Ingenious Lady’s Literary - Productions, see The History of the Illustrious Women - of France, lately published. - - [Illustration] - - The Second Edition, - - Printed in Quarto, on superfine Paper, price 2s. - - The ENGLISH GARDEN, a Poem, - - By W. MASON, M. A. - Book the First. - - _This Day is Published_, Price 4s. bound. - - The Court and Country - Confectioner: - OR, - The HOUSE-KEEPER’S GUIDE - - To a more speedy, plain, and familiar method of - understanding the whole art of confectionary, - pastry, distilling, and the making of - fine-flavoured English wines from all kinds of - fruits, herbs, and flowers; comprehending near five - hundred easy and practical receipts, never before - made known: particularly, - - PRESERVING. - CANDYING. - ICING. - TRANSPARENT MARMALADE. - ORANGE. - PINE-APPLE. - PISTACHIO, and other Rich Creams. - CARAMEL. - PASTILS. - BOMBOONS. - SYRUPS. - PUFF, SPUN, and FRUIT-PASTES. - LIGHT-BISCUITS. - PUFFS. - RICH SEED-CAKES. - CUSTARDS. - SYLLABUBS. - FLUMMERIES. - TRIFLES, WHIPS, FRUITS, - and other JELLIES.—PICKLES, &c. - - Also new and easy directions for clarifying the - different degrees of sugar, together with several - bills of fare of deserts for private gentlemens - families. - - A NEW EDITION. - - To which is added, a dissertation on the different - species of fruits, and the art of distilling simple - waters, cordials, perfumed oils, and essences. - - By Mr. BORELLA, now Head Confectioner to the - Spanish Ambassador in England. - - - - - _This Day are published_, - - Price Five Shillings and Three Pence in - Boards, - - The FIRST and SECOND VOLUMES - - Of an entire new and useful Work, - - Dedicated, by Permission, to His Grace HUGH Duke of - NORTHUMBERLAND, - - Calculated for the Advantage and Instruction of the - Botanist, the Country Gentleman, the Nursery-man - and Gardener, - - Illustrated with Copper-plates, and a copious Botanical Glossary. - - THE - UNIVERSAL BOTANIST - AND - NURSERY-MAN. - - Containing descriptions of the species and varieties - of all the trees, shrubs, herbs, flowers, and fruits, - natives and exotics, at present cultivated in the European - nurseries, green-houses, and stoves, or described by modern - botanists; arranged according to the Linnæan system, with - their names in English. - - To which are added, - - Catalogues of the flowers raised by the most eminent - florists in Europe; with their names, colours, and prices, - translated into English: as well as a list of the most - esteemed fruits: particularly those raised in the nursery - of the Carthusians in Paris. - - The whole to be completed in Four Volumes. - By RICHARD WESTON, Esq; - - _Hic ver perpetuum, atque alienis mensibus æstas._ - VIRG. - - Printed for GEORGE RILEY, Bookseller, May Fair; - and C. 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