^^m9m

*

^^k^^

A >^ -. '^ 'r^ '

FABLES

O F

FLOWERS,

TOP.

THE FEMALE SEX.

WITH

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA,

A VISION.

WRITTEN FOR THE AMUSlMENT Or

HER HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROY A I.

BY THE AUTHOR OF THE CHOICE EMBLEMS, &C. &C,

Nature here
Wamons as in her prime, and plays at will
Her virgin fancies.

MILTON.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR G S O R G S RIUE Y , BOOKSELLER^

IN CURZON -STREET, MAY -FAIR.

ANa SOLD BY

jOHK W ILK IE, ST. ? A U l's - C H U R C H - Y A R B .

i\i I; C C L X X ! I { ,

LIBRARY

NEW YORK

BOTANICAL

QAROa^

TO TPIE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LADY CHARLOTTE FINCH.

THESE NEW FABLES
WRITTEN FOR THE AMUSEMENT

O^ F

H E R H I G H N E S S,

C H A R L O T T E,

PRINCESS ROYAL OF ENGLAND.
ARE MOST HUMBLY DEDICATED BY
HER LADYSHIP'S
MOST HUMBLE

>VND OBEDIENT SERVA!^T,

THE A U T H O R.

^<^u

PREFACE.

W

HEN I furvey the divine
finiplicity and blooming attra<ffcions,.
diat are difplayed aniongft die varie-
gated tribes of die vegetable creation,,
I ceafe to wonder, that Queens fore ^
go ^ for a -while ^ the compliments of a
nation, or withdraxofrom the glitter of
a COURT, to be attended -with the more
fplendid eq.uipage of a bed of
FLOWERS; Avhere nothing leems
wanting bnt the power o? fpeech, to

make

viii PREFACE.

make diem become the moft pleafihg
Monitors,

How far the Author of the follow-
ing Fables, written for the amufement
of an exalted Perfonage, may havo
fucceeded, in defcriptive fancy, as a
poet: it is hoped> that, the moral and
refined admonitions which may be
found to breathe, from the fragrant
bofom of a iilver-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 myfelf, in a great

meallire,

PREFACE,

IX

meafure, indebted to an ingenious
Lady *, well known in the literary
world. And can only fay/ that I
have found both health and recrea-
tion in the completion of it ; by
fharing fome of the fweetefl hours of
contemplation, among the lovely fub"
jefts of the following pages.

THE AUTHOR.

* The author of The Vizfis: or Enchanted Laby-
linth ; an Oriental Talc, 3 Vols. — Wherein flic de.
fcribes with great tafte and fancy, the different paf-
iions that are fubjeft to mifguidc the wann and ex«
pandcd imagination, of Youth by the n0W«rs they
m^ke choice of in the LabyriQlk

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

//EPHYRUS and FLORA

Page.

1

FABLE L ■

The Hollyhock and Lily of the Vaie —

24

U

The Aloe in Bloflbm — —

'31

III.

The Rofe and Hornet — -J

37

ly.

The Senfitive Plant — — ,

42

V.

The Hawthorn and the Primrofe —

47

VI.

The V/hite Rofe and the Red —

53

VII.

The Crocus — — —

59

VIII.

The Anemone and the Pailion Flower —-

64

IX.

The Lily and Narciflas — —

64

X.-

»

The Ivy and Sweet Briar —

73

XI.

The Violet Tranfplanted . — .

77

XII.

The Tulip and the Amaranth —

.81

xiii.

llie Honey Succkle and Youth —

B7

XIV.

Belinda and the Blue Bell — —

92

XV.

The Larkfpur and the Myrtle — ■

97

TABLE o y CONTENTS,

The Poppy and the Sun Fhwer — -

XVtI.
The Iris and the Rofe — — •

XVIII.
The Nafturtium and the Wall Flower —

XIX.
The Traveller and Lapland Rofe ■=*-

XX,
The Deadly Night Shade -«. —

XXL
The Crown Imperial and Hearts Eafe --"

XXIL
The Water Lily — — *

XXIIL
The Funeral Flowers and the Lover •—

XXIV.
The Field and Garden Daify — ■

XXV.'
The Pinks and Arbutus — ■ —

XXVI.
The Cockfcomb and Sweet William —

XXVIL
The Jefmlne and Hemlock — •

XXVIII.
The Carnation and Southernwood —

XXIX.
The Rofemary and Field Flower —

XXX.
The judgment of the Flowers —

102

109

119

124
129

133

137
14a

147
153

i6t

165

169

ZEPHYRUS

AND

FLORA:

A VISION.

EW YO
OTANU

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA.

XJL W

L

Slate I wander'd o'er the flow'ry plain,

here Cambrian Cluyd pours his filver tide,
l^'^-nidll; the pleafures of fair Plenty's reign,
%' And blulhing flow'rs and fruits on ev'ry fide :

Ur §oft figh'd the weft winds, murm'ring o'er the dale,
I Whofe ev'ry charm rofe frelher from the breeze ;
"^^ The lofty hills more boldly kifs'd the gale,
^ Which Ikimm'd their tops, and Ihook the wav)^ trees.
2^ Bz Tue

4 ^EPHYRUS AND FLORA.

Ill,

The fun defcending, fliot his golden beams

Aikance, with many a cloud his ev'ning throne

AdornM ; while mountains, woods, and lucent flreams.
With the lafl blulhes of his radiance {hone.

Far flretching hence, Cambria's rough heights I view,
Where Liberty long fince forlorn retir'd,

Left fairer climes, and fkies of brighter hue,
And, but at laft, triumphantly expir'd:

V.
And wide around me wound the fertile vale %

Fit theme and fubjev^ of the poet's fong ;
Whofe num'rous beauties load the palling gale,

Whofe breath repeats them, as it glides along*

VL

Bright Phoebus funk, dim twilight now fucceeds,
Still gleaming dubious with uncertain ray, .

While tremblingly among the vocal reeds
The ev'ning breezes llill more faintly play.
a The Vale of Chyd.

Amict

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA.

vm

Annd this beauteous, {oft, and flow'ry fcene,

On a high bank, all liiHefs, I reclin'J ;
Whofe fhelving fides were crown'd with lively green,

By tujtted trees and bord'ring flow'rs conlin'd.

VIIL

Utrc, while the landfcape faded on my Hght,
AVild Fancy's eye ftill brighter fcenes fupply'd j

Iview'd not the Laft track of parting light,
Nor marked the. fanning breezes as they dyW.

IX.

At kngih, Imagination, roving nv.iid,

Though gentle fleep had fetter'd all my pow'rs

In golden chains, my bufy foul convey'd
To other landfcapes and immortal bow'rs.

X.

Methought I flood amidft a garden fair,

Whofe bounds no fight of mortal eye could trace ,

Situate mid-way, betwixt earth, leas, and air,
Unmaik'd by Time, uncircumfcrib'd by Space.

B 3 Not

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA.

XL

Not half fo fweet was that delightfome dale,
Which to my waking view appeared fb bright;

For here did never-ceafing funs prevail,
With mildeil fweetnefs tempVing heav'nly light,

XII.

Spring breath'd eternal glories o*cr the land s
And gentleft winds, o*er fragrant kwns that blow,

Nurs'd beauteous buds unfet by mortal hand,
And opening flowVs that without planting grow.

XIII.

Serene the heav*ns, fave where a cloudy flirine,
Big with coeleflial plenty, fall'd on high,

Show'r'd Spring's own rofes from her feat divine>
And drew a purple radiance o'er the fliv,

XIV.

Meanwhile, foft mulic echoing from each grove,
Tun'd to enchanting notes moll foft and clear,

That breath'd the foul of harmony and love,
Thrili'd the rapt breaft, and charm'd the lilVning ear.

And

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA. 7

Ahd ftill the while, with voices loud and Cweet,
The warbling birds in dulcet concert join'd,

The waters murm'ring flow with cadence meet,
*' Ix)W anfwer'd by the gently whifp'ring wind.'*

xvi;

Thefe themes of wonder lilent I furveyM,
Attiiltive hanging on each dying (bund ;

fkm*it with the |l©iii§ whieh I faw difpiayMi
And fef nes of joy and pkafur© ©p'iung mm\d *.

XVII.

Yet Hill methought a certain want appear'd,
Of fome to own this fpot, fo heav'nly fair,

Elfe were each charming flow'ret vainly rear*d«
" To bloom unnoticM to the defert air ;'*

XVIII.

Elfe, were in vain thefe foft melodious drains,
Which the whole foul of harmony infpir'd,

Pour'd to the wild woods and the lonely plains,
Though worthieft flill by all to be admir'd.

B 4 Such

ZEPHYRUS AND FLOKA,

XIX.

SucK were creation*s firft imperfecl: hours.
When the gay heav'ns in early beauty ihone,

And earth, bedeck'd with beafts, birds, plants, and flow^:8j
Spread all her bofom to the genial fun ,

XX.

Unlini(h*d Hill the mighty work appearM,

Till Man, the lord of all, was bid to rife ;
With open brow his face divine who r€ar*d.

And fought with Vipright look his mmi ikies*.

Thus as I paus'd, flill louder IvvellM the notes,
From ev*ry bufh, and brake, and echoing hill ;

While choirs ccelefcial feem'd to tune their throdts,
And, with glad voice the chearful chorus hll.

XXII.

Then, by fome magic pow'r fwift fnatch'd away^

Ev'n to the midft of that delightful land,

I view'd at once all clad in bright array,

A thoufand Genii of the gardens Hand.

Biu;

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA,

XXIII.

But far above all thefe a feat was plac'd,

Drefs'd with each flow'r that ev'ry feafon knows.

Whole vary'd tints, in gem-like order, gracM
The rural theatre which gradual rofe,

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 light more beauteous ne'er did eye behold.
Than thefe bright tribes that glitter'd on the day ;

And, rich in purple dyes and flaming gold.
Dad their bright bofoms to the fun difplay,

XXVL

Such was the throne ; — but oh ! what pen can trace

The heav'nly beauties of the raatchlefs Two,
Who, glowing with each bright ccelcllial grace,
. Sat there aloft, confpicuous to the view!

B 5 The

so ZEPHYRyS AND FLORA,

xxvir.

The firfl, a youth of fweet and gentle mien,

W ith many a wreath and knotted garland crown'd ;

Whofe beauteous vifage glow'd with charms ferene,
And on whofe fhoulders purple wings were bound :

XXVIIL

Thefe when he fpreads, reviving Nature pours
Her copious treafures of immortal bloom ;

Whilfl: through vafl realms he fcatters vernal floras,
And from liis downy pinions Iliakes perfume.

XXIX.

His name was Zephyrus ; and next him fat
The -beauteous goddefs of the blooming year,

The conflant partner of his rural Hate,

To heav'n and earth, to gods and mortals dear j

XXX.

Flora, bright pow'r, v/ho fheds a thoufand fweets
O'er thoufand lands, what time her gifts appear,

What time her confort with his kilTes greets
Her coral lips, and wakes the rifing year.

Her

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA. n

XXXL

Her beauteous face was deck'd with youthful pride,
Her graceful form in flamy robes was drefs'd;

And ev'ry charm wild Nature could provide,
Adorn'd her head, and beam'd upon her breaft.

xxxn.

Befide the throne, rang'd in fair order, flood
The various Seafons of the rolling year;

By all their train of months, weeks, days, purfu'd:
And all their various fymbols flouriih'd here.

XXXIIL

Firil came the Spring, led by the rofy Hours,
With all the Loves and Graces in her train;

Deck'd with her wreath of never-fading flow'rs,
Diffufing odours o'er the fmiling plain.

XXXIV.

Next Summer came ; his cheeks with ardour fir'd,
With his own blufhing fruits and harvefts crown'd ;

Before whofe face the infant Spring retir'd.
And with her rofes flrew'd the ruflet ground.

B6 ' Stain'd

10 ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA,

XXXV.

Stain'd with the grape's prefs'd juice, ^vlth Headier pace.
Still looking backward on preceding time,

Ripe Autumn next fiicceeded in his place j

Scattering rich fruits, the growth of ev'ry clime,,

XXXVI.

Lafl Winter comes, with heavy flep and floiV^

A ho^ry captive bound in icy chains ;
With haggard eyes, and mantle dipp'd in fnow,

Who Jftill of cold in Spring's own realms complains,

xxxvu.

Not one of thefe, but from their various florc
Some olPring meet to lovely Flora pay;

Not one of thefe, but wifh that ofF'ring more.
And her foft reign mofl willingly obey.

XXXVIII.

Ev'n Winter's felf, with look averted, throws.
His thin-ilrewn fiow'rets on the goddefs' fhrine;, -

Ev'n his cold bofom for a moment glows.
When he beholds her radiant form divine.

ZEPHYR us AND FLGRA. i^

XXXIX.
But notv the Genii of each plant and flowV,

Rang'd in fair order, wait her high coinmaridsj
And each, approaching her delicious bow'r,

In expedation of her verdi<5l ftands,,

XL.

For many of the gardciis painted race,

And fome that with their colours deck the j^r/^

Rivals in weTihh, In beauty, and in grace,

Had wag*d high wars, unknowing how to yields .

XLI.

All clalmM preferment, and each one could boail
Of fome bright beauty or perfe(5lion dear,

Which (hould induce mankind to prize her moil.
And to preferment make her title clear,

XLII;

And fome, of empty fhcw and titles vain r
Alas ! that Pride fo many fliould deceive !

Giaim'd o'er their kindred plants and flowVs to reign :
And of their birthright others would bereave. ,

The

14 ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA.

XLIII.

The Crown Imperial, and the fpurious Flow'r
Which boafts of royal arms and royal mien ' ;

The warlike Plant that claims immortal pow'r%
And that gay lady call'd the Meadow's Queen.

XLIV.

All thefe, and more, that fcorn'd a fubjeft ftate,
Rofe to the claim of high imperial fway :

Forgetting — to hegoodwiis to be^r^^^ —
They role to rule, unpraftis'd to obey.

XLV.

Others again for heantys meed contend,

Chief amidH whom appeared the Tulip race ;

A painted tribe, born only to contend

For praife, where all is giv'n external grace.

XLVI.

Alcaa proud ^ ; and lovely Venus' joy.

That does from adverfe winds its title claim ^;

The once conceited, felf-admiring Eoy%

Whofe love prepolVrous gave a fiow'r a name.

a Ids, or Fleur de lis. ^ Larkfpur. c The Hollyhock.
^ Anemone, or Wind Flower. « NarciiTus.

The

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA, i^

XLVir.

The proud Carnation dipp'd in brightell dyes,
Who ftill with thirft of praife and glory burns ;

With her whofe min-our cheats deluded eyes%
And (he that Hill to her lov'd Phoebus turns ^,

XLviir.

Thefe, with their numVous chiefs of difF'rent hues-,.

The painted Cock's Comb, and his lofty train,
Their beauties vaunting, to the reft refufe

To fhare the glories of their gaudy reign.—

XLIX.

The judges fat, each fep'rate claim was heard,
While fome for rule, mid {ome for p-ai/h, fought;

And fome had been difgrac'd, and fome preferred,
As in the goddefs' mind their various pleadings wrought
L.

But her lov'd confort, gently whif|)'ring, faid ;

" What means my Queen, on thefe to caft her fight,
Who have but pride or luft of fway dlfplay'd,

Nor brought their real v.'orth or virtues to the lieht ?'*

a Bell Flower, Corn Violet, or Venus's Looking Glafs.
* Clytic; or the Sun Flower.

Hot?

36 ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA.

LL

How many abfent nov^^, more fair than thefcj
With greater fragrance in lone valleys blow ?

Or, if the garden^s flovv'ry tribe more pleafe.
Where do the.Rofe and lovely Vi'let glow?

Lit

The Lily where, and all that niimVous hoU,
Who claim true praife to innate virtue due;

Or do they merit Icajl who loudeji hoafi.
And with falfe glare impofe upon the view?

Liir.

For furc, of all who feel my genial gale,
Or to the fun their fragrant brealb unfold^

The beft and fweeteft that on earth prevail,
Yet do. I not in this -fair court behold."

LIV.

He fald; and Flora, riling from her throne,
Bade prefent fearch for ev'ry one be made:

Who, though their offerings on her altar Ihone,
Their raodeft hafle had from the court convey'd.

Strait'

ZEPHYRirS AND FLORA. 1.7

Strait they returnM : — The lovely blufhing Rofe,

The Lily ever challe and ever fair,
The Vi'let fweet with purple tints that glows,

And Myrtle green, that fcerits the ambient air>

LVI.

With many more, grateful to fight and fmell.
By bounteous heav'n with matchlefs charms endaM ^

That in the fragrant meade or gardens dwell,
Or which wild waAes from human eyes feslude*.

Lvir.

Thefe by their Genii now in modell guife,
Excus'd from pleading 'midll the mingled throngs

Claim'd but the tribute all allow'd their prize.
Nor fought their own jull praifes to prolong*.

LVIIL

Yet, thefe once feen, nbafh*d rheir rivals Hand;

And would have fled, but Flora this deny'd;
Who, riling graceful, with her out-ftretch'd hand,.^
. Thus briefly to th' aliembled pow'rs apply'd :

^^-Geaic

>«- Z E P H y R U S A HD F L O R A.

LIX.

" Genii of gardens, meads, and fylvan fcene5>
Attendant flill in Flora's vernal train,

Say what this ardent, fond contention means,
Whj ilrive you thus for pow'r, and ilrive in vain?

LX.

Are you not all beneath our fceptre bleft;

Say, do not all confefs our gentle fway ? '
Then feck not one to triumph o*er the reft,

But each in peaceful order ftill obey.

LXI.

So all the glories of my reign (hall (hare.
So all be- Hill in poets fongs renovvn'd,\

So (hall my Zephyr ilill with . gentleft air,

Wave o'er your beds, with bloom eternal crown'd.

LXII.

hvid.yoUf who not for pow'r, but beauty's charm?,
For gaudy tints, ftill fiercely would contend;

What envious fire fuch gentle bofoms warms?.
And where, alas ! mufl the mad conteft end ?

Eaclk

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA. ig

Lxnr.

Each has her charms, and each peculiar worth.

To all in various portions duly giv'n,.
By fecret Nature working at its birth.

The lavlfh bounty of indulgent Heav*n.

LXIV.

Each has her charms :•— but view the blulhing Rofe,

Behold the beauties of the Lily fair j
Few boall of equal excellence to thofe,

Yet with their model): merit none compare.

LXV.

Thefe, therefore, we prefer ; and though no Queea
Befides Ourfelves we will to hold the reign j

Yet, for their true defert confpicuous feen,
We rank them foremofl on the flow'ry plain.

hXVL

•Hear, and obey ; and if aught elfe abide.
To raife difpute among your orders bright;

Still by true merit let the caufe be tryM,
And fpecious ^rt.u yield to more folid right,^*

sue

^ ZEPHYRUS AND FLGRA^

LXVIL.

She fpoke;— the Seafons, and the winged Hour?,
Confirmed her voice j then breath'd a rich perfume^

Which Zephyr fcatter'd wide o'er all the flow'rs,
And deck'd their leaves with more than mortal bloom,

LXVIIT;
Then, his lov'd confort draining in his arms.

With gentlell touch falutes her fwelling breall *
Who ftrait (hone fbrth in more refulgent charms,

As JuK'O wh&n by vernal Jovs cat^fi'd^

And fudden joining in a maxy dance,

The airy phantoms of the fcene appeared ;

Some to the fprightly timbrel did advance,
Wjbito. fome their clear harmonious voices rcar'd» .

LXX,

But One among the reft, who view'd me fland^
Intent, and gazing on the proipe(5t near.

Came forth, and gently touch'd my trembling hand.
And bade me mark his words, and nothing fear :

" And

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA.

LXXI.

■** And feefl thou not (fald he) thefe varyM flow\$>
Contending flill for beauty or for fway?

Such are the contefts which employ man's hours j
In life's ^ort, bufy, traniitory day,

LXXII.

Tor what is gaudy beauty's fhort-llv*d bloom,
The pomp of pow'r, of riches, or of pride;

Soon bury'd in the undiflinguiih'd tomb,

Which ail their boafted pomp at once muil hide?

Lxxm.

Virtue alone furvives, immortal maid!

Her truly amaranthine flow'r fhall blow,
A\^en all the reft are wrapt in dufky fhade>

And laid in dark and dufty ruins low,

LXXIV.

Hear, and attend ! —improve the moral ftrain,
So may'ft thou fail fafe through life's dang'roij* fea ;

%o from thefe fcenes thou wifdom may'ft attain.
And Flora prove Minerva's felf to thee."

He

m ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA.

LXXV.

He ceasM ; and well I mark'd the prudent lore.
And much revolv'd his faying in my mind;

Bent all the myftic moral to explore.
By this romantic, fplendid fcene defign'd.

LXXVI.

But, the full concert fwelling on my ear.

The bands of Sleep diflblv'd, away he flies;

At once the train of phantoms difappear,
And on my waking light the vifion dies.

LXXVir.
No longer now near Flora's bow'r I flood.

But view'd v/ith opening eyes the riling da} ;
Then down the Valley fair my path purfu'd,

And homeward took my folitary way.

FABLES

FA B L E S

O F

FLOWERS.

Fah^I

• TahK.

'/ /ie,^J/fU' nt ^y'/)/<>/A(>jit

FA B L E S

O F

FLOWER

FABLE L

The HOLLYHOCK and the LILY of the VALE.

L

3; I ^WAS early morn, Sol's radiant beams

A Illum'd the landfcape round.
The dew-drops glitter'd on the day.

And gem-like deck'd the ground.

n.

Within the garden*s cultur'd walks

A Hollyhock there grew;
And there the Lily of the Vale

Kept humble diilance due.
C

Elate

56 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

III.

■Elate ^vitli pride, the gaudy flow'r

Expands its fwelling breaft ;
And, joying in the vernal fcene,

The Lily thus addicfs'd ;

IV.

** What dofl: thou here, mean paltry thing,-

*' Go blow in yonder field ;
*' Nor thus difgrace fair Flora's tribes,

■" That heavenly beauties yield.

<« Go, with thy faint and fickly hue;

** Some chearlefs vale adorn ;
*' But here intrude not on our reign,

" Nor drink the dew of morn.

VL

" Whilft I with heightened colours glow^

" In Summer's liv'ry gay;
« Imbibe the fofteit tints of light,

■•' And glitter on the day.

<* Me «

FABLES OF FLOWERS. tt

** Me yonder golden fun fhall warni|

" At mom and noon-tide hour ;
** And me his ev'ning beams attend,

" Like his own fav'rite fiow'r.

VIII.
*' Nor yonder Rofe, nor Bacchus' Plant,

" Which twining near me grows,
*' Can boafl more excellence than me,

"' Or brighter dyes difclofe.

IX.

** Hence thou ! nor this fair fpot profane,

*' Where fairer flow'rets blow ;
" Return again to fhades obfcure,

" And there negle6ted grow."

X.

The Lily heard, with decent grace,

That fcorn'd the boafler's pride;
Then from her lone, unenvy'd bed

She thus in brief reply'd ;

C 2 <« From

i3 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XL

*' 'From vaunting loud what fame is galn'd,

" To raife the l^oafter's name ;
•"«* Or might not yonder blufhing Rofe

** Exert a fairer claijii ?

XIL
"«* And many a flow'r that round thee blowi,

" In the bright garb of Spring j
** Or, rich in elegant perfumes,

*< That fcent the Zephyr's wing.

xriL

^* The vine, with purple clufters deck'd,
*' Shall foon rich fweets beftow;

<* Whilll thou, a barren flow'r at bell,
*' Art only made for fnow.

XIV.
^' For M E ; — what Nature form'd, I am j

'* I envy not thy pride ;
'* Nor feek to raife a greater boafl,

"" By Providence deny'd.

FAFLES OF FLOWERS* x<^

XV.

** Yet In fonie dark and dang'rous houry

" Whea tempers rude aiTail ;
<* Ev'n thoU- may'it wilh the humbler ilate

" Of Lily of the Vale/*

xvr.

Safe from her humble fpot fhe faid.

And vievv'd the changing Iky ;
From op'ning clouds the thunders breaks

The livid lightnings fly.

XVIL

Full on the garden's lofty wall.

The flow'rs exalted place,
The fires asthereal fwiftly fall.

And rend its folid bafe.

XVIIL
And now the boafter's trull and pride

AiTur'd her overthrow;
Her glories buried in the dull,
By one deilrudtive blow.

C 3 The

,30 FABLES OF F L O VV E R S.

XJX.

The Lily vicw^l the ruin'd flow%
And llrait this Moral drew ;

3eauty and Pride are idly >vai}i^
But Praife is Merit's due.

xx:

Daughters of AlUon^ timely wife^

Attend the moral tale\
And imitate ^^vith przident care

The Lily of the Vale.

FABLE

FABLES OF FLOWERS. ^i.

F A B L E II
The ALOE ia Blo s saM<v.

L

'«- "T? ^ ^ ^^ v/armci' climates early borne,
J^ '* Where beams the god of light i

'* How gaily blcoiBs yon lofty plantj

" la. native colours bright I ^

IL

«- The root, the plant, the leaf, the flowV,

** Alike our w-onder raife;
*' And all confefs the fragrant flockj

" Renown'd in ancient days.

in..

'* Some fay, but one revolving age

" Beholds thy beauties fpread ;
*♦ And rear aloft to genial funs

" Its highly bloomine; head^.

C4, "But

32 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

IV.

'* But thou, like Merit, kindly nurs'd,

" An early fpring^wilt know;
** While, checked by rigid, frowning Ikies,

*' Thy gems forget to glow.

V.

** Emblem of Genius rarely known,

** And ilill more rarely giv*n ;
" To reap the good itfelf imparts,

•* And fliare the gifts of Heav'n..

VI.

" Say, glorious flranger, reared erewhlle

" lu diflant, funny lands ;
** Can either India more bellovr,
^ " Than Albion's ille commands?

VIL

" In weftern and in fouthern climes
" Too long hail thou been plac'd;

'• And India's fands, and Afric*s wilds,
" Thy beauteous prefence grac'd.

'* Deign

FABLES OF FLOWERS.. 33

VIIL

<* Deign then, O fovVelgn plant, thy baliiij^,

"On this our land beftow;
«' And give thy flow'rs in all their grace

*' Anil luilre here to blow,"—

IX.

The Guardian Sylph, that vvatchM the flovvV^

Confefs'd before me Hood ;
And (hook his bright and funny locks.

And thus my fuit , wiihilood :

X.

^'^ Ccafe. ceafe, he cry'd, fuch boons to afk,.

*' As fcarce deferve. a name ;
**^ While Albion, favour'd from above,

" Can greater bleffings claim*.

XL

"Still, ftill, their gems and fpicy flora,

" Let either Lidia boafl ; ,
** And Afric vaunt the precious fand^,

" That glitter on her coaft.

C5 "Not

34 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XII.

** Not thefe, nor all the hidden wealth,.

" That earth or fea poflefs ;
** Can match thofe richer gifts of heav'n,..

*' Which fair Britannia blefs.

XIIL
'' Peace, Freedom, Wealth from farthefl fhorcSj,

*' By golden commerce brought;
*' All thefe are hers, and ev*ry good,

" By happieli nations fought.

XVII.

*< Nor thlf alone; here Genius blooms,.

" A Flower excelling i7iinc,
** Nor aiks a whole revolving age,

*' In glories to rehne.

xviii;.

•* Here too the Fair, with, beauty bright,.

** The hearts of heroes warm ;
** Thofe human blajfoms genial blow,

*' And put forth ev'ry charm.

♦' Ceafi^

FABLES OF FLOWERS, 35

XIX.

*' Ceale then, nor envy other climes

** Their heauties thinly Jire-zvn ;
** But learn ivith decent pride to prl%ir'

** The hlejjings of your ovjn^

€ 6- F A 2' L E

-Fn?>M

f~'y//4',L'Ho/ff)'r '/7a;//

(//// J

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 37

FABLE IIL

The ROSE and the HORNET.

DEEP ill a lone, fequefter'd vale^
Where many* a ftreamlet flows;
And nurs'd by many' a gentle gale.
Soft bloom'd a damalk Rofe».

II.

The Summer's funs, the 2^phyrs bland.

All own'd her peevlefs queen ;
The honey 'd Bee, Sprhig's fweetefl child,

Oft' fought her breait ferene.

III.

Her beauties op'ning on the day,

With ev'ry grace were crown'd ;
Imbib'd the golden fokr beam,

And deck'd the defart ground.

Daughter

33 FABLES OF FLOWERS,

IV.

Daughter of Nature, fllll ihe blowM,.

Where human face iie'er fhone ;
And fpread her blolToms to the vievr

But of the Sun alone.

Pride of the Eaft, a brighter glow,.

Beyond our garden's bloom,
Bade her^-with heighten'd beauty blufi:.

And fcatter rich perfume.

vr.

Her rudely rufhing through the air

An angry Hornet 'fpy'd;
Yovv'd to 'enjoy the heav'niy flow'r>.

In all her blooming pride.

vir.

Bold fon of heat, with rudefl hailc.
His courfe he ilrait addrelVd;

To rifle all her charms in fpite^ ,
And riot on her breail;.

He

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 39^

VIII.

He fearchM each leaf, each bloffom wounds

With rude unhallowed rage j
Yet nothing could his fearch explore, .

His paffion to affuage.

IX.

The beauteous flowV, though wildly rent,.

No fweetnefs would afford;
But hurt by many a vengeful, thorn.

His raflinefs he deplor'd,

X.

At length, thus bafHed and deceivM,

EnragM, he fil^nce broke;
And now of ev'ry hope bereft.

He thus infulting fpoke ;

XL

'" Vain gaudy flow'r, they term thy breaft

" Engaging, bright, and fair;

«' Who feek thy bofom, ne'er Ihall find

*' Or ioy or fweetnefs there*

'^ < . « The

40. FABLES OF FLOWERS.

xn.

" The Bee indeed, thy fav'ritej ftill

** Says, Honey fprings from thee ;
" Yet nought but trouble, care, and pain^

" Hall thou beflow'd on me,

XIIL.
*^ Then boaft no more thy beauteous form

** That ftill excites defire;
*' Since Thorns alone thou canft bellow,

" To quench a lover's fire,"

XIV.
Then thus the Rofe, — <* Intruder vile \

*' Who thus vvould'il force employ;
" 'Bhough arm'd with pow'r ; know 'tis not thine

" To taile fubflantial joy.

XV.

" The Bee, who lips each fweet that glows -

" In lavv-n or Ihady bow'r,
«' Taftes all the honey as he flies,

•* But never wounds the fi.ow'r.

" Whllil

FABLES OF FLOWERS* 4^

XVL
" Willi ll thou, both impious and unwlfc,

** Of all our tribes the fcorn :
** For evVy violated Tweet

** Shalt always meet a thoru»"'

FABLE

42 FABLES OF FLO VV E R S.

FABLE IV.

The SENSITIVE PLANT.

L

RARE plant, or flow'r, or nymph-like tree,.
With human fenfe endu'd ;
Why doft thou fnrink beneath the touch,.,
And bear but to be n^iew^d?

IL

Say does feme Hamadryad chufe

In that green Hem to live ?
And to her highly favour'd Ihrine

This ilrong fenfation give ?

IIL

Well for thy fake their ancient oaks

The wood-nymphs might forfake;
And in thy purer bofom wifh

Their lov'd abodes to make.

y-t

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 4^

IV.

Yet why indignant from each hand

Alike doll thou retire ?
Does evVy touch, replete with ill,

Alike thy hate infpire?

V.

Too cautious nymph ! well might'll: thou deign

To fome thy breafl unfold;
Sure thofe would vjorJJjIp at the touch,

Who love when they heboid*

VL

Shrunk in herfelf, with modefl grace

The Plant thus fair reply'd,
** Whate'er my fource, my maiden ftate

•' But ill agrees with prided

VIL

" In purity alone I joy;

" I feek no other fame,
** But that which from chafle wifhc^ grows,
"And fuits a virgin's name.

a This flower is encompafTed with thorns, and its root is faid to
have a poifonous quality,

"Nymphs

44 FABLES OF FLOWERS,

VIII.
" Nymphs of the woods, the groves, and ureams,

** Too oft have found the fniart
" Of loofer fires, which, once indulg'd,

*' Will rankle in. the heart.

IX.

** Me no rude touch fliall e*er profiuiej.

** That guard if once I leave,
" Of ev'ry virtue well I know

<* Mankind would me bereave* [j:

X.

<* Nor this alone, know, curious youth,

*' A thorny mail I own ;
** Foe to the rafh unthinking hand

" That violates xny throne.

XL

" And ev'n within this fpotlefs breaft

»• Does deadly venom fpring;
<« So he that raviflies the fweets,

^* May meet the mortal iling.

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 4^

xir.

^^ Go then, and range from flow'r to flow'r,

" Amidil the gaudy traui :
«* But facred be my homely plant,

" To bright-hair'd Veila's reign*

XIIL
'*' She ceas*d; nor I the flow'r profan'd,

" To chaftity devote ;
'* But on the fand with ruftic pen^

** This facred moral wrote:

XIV.

The "Nymph ^uvho Jlights Jiricl virtue's guard-.

Shall quickly meet a fnare\
And Pleafures, raWd on Virtue i han?,

-An fatal^ as they're fah\

^ AB LE

Tad. V -

Tab XT

g/>L >m3^^^. ^/'-'itJ^

•FA'BLES OF FLOWERS. 47

FABLE V.
The HAWTHORN and the PRIMROSE.

L

BENEATH a wild and rufllc Ihade,
Impervious to the view ;
[n the fvveet-fmiling month of May,

A lovely Primrofe grew.
II.

The gentle child of early Spring

By bounteous Flora crown'd;
With vernal beauties born to deck

The unfrequented ground.

in.

The brighteft dye, the fweetefl fcent.

Her yellow leaves could yield ;
Were fpent upon the empty airj

Nor e'er adorn'd the field,

\

For

4B FABLES OF FLOWE,RS.

IV.

For round her grew a bufliy brake,
With many* a thorn befet;

And many' a weed obfcene and foul
Deform'd the green retreat.

V.

But high above the reft advanced
A fpreading Hawthorn rofe ;

Whofe lengthen'd branches overhung
The feat of her repofe.

VI.

Her gem-like bloffoms wide difplay'd

The darkling dell adorn;
"'^.^ith grateful fragrance kifs the wind,

And drink the dew of morn*.

VII.
Her the lone Rofe in mournful guife

Full many a day had efd ;
And thus at length one fummer's eve

&he all impatient cr^-'d*

« Ah

FABtES OF FLOWERS. 49

VIII.

** Ah Tliorn ! the bane of all my hopes !

*' Ah Thorn ! that wound*il my peace !
" Still mud I view thy branches fpread,

*' And flill my woes increafe ;

IX.

*' I who long fince had, happier far,

" Been by feme fair carefs'd;
** Had drunk the radiance of her eye,

*' And panted on her breaft ?

X,

^ What have I done, O wretch! that Mi

" This evil treatment m(?ets ;
** Or hall thou aught in lieu ta give

<< To ihofe who lofe my fweets ?'*

XL
She fald: — the Hawthorn thus reply *dj

** Fond pageant of an hour !
'' Art tlwH difpleas'd becaufe / bloom,
^^ Though iheiter'4 by my powx?

I> '-' And

so FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XIL

** And Tvnow'll: thou not that but for 7.7^
" Thy boafted bloom were vain ;

** By glazing herds trod under foot,
** And le\'erd with the phiin?

XUL

*< Thee I protect ; mfi'lf am known

" Among the warUke race ;
** Whom Nature arms with prompt defence

*' Of moll excelling grace.

o

XIV.
** Nor idly I thefe weapons wear,

*' Nor idle is my bloom ;
** One arms me for myfelf and thee 5

*' The other flieds perfume.

•' And oft as this returning month

*' Adds vigour to the year;
" Crown*d with my gems in ruftic dance

** The nymphs and fwains appear*

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 51

XVL

<* Me the fleet hare, and tlmVous fawn,

" Seek at their greateft need;
*^ They reft fecure beneath my fliade,

** And on my bounty feed.

xvn.

*' But moil: the phuntiYC Philomel,

** Sweet warbler of the grove,
*' Joys 'mldll my branches to repofe,

*' And ling her haplefs love.

xviir.

** Agalnft my thorns her bofom placM,

" She flrains her tuneful throat ;
** And by my ufeful aid exalts

** Each fweetly trilling note.

XIX.
*< Sacred to Flora, of her train

" Although ^o flow'r am I;
•* And born to flourilh many a mooii,
*! When thou fhalt fade and die."

^2 ^i Cckfe

Si F A B L E S OF 'FL O \r E R S.

XX.
'* Ccafe then, nor envy this my flatf ,

*' Which muft tfy ozvn defend ;
*' The thorns I bear fliall fave thy flowV:,

** And prove thy fureil friend."

XXI.
So fpake the Hawthorn, juflly wifp^

The Rose unanfvv'ring heajrd:
I caught the Moral, as it rofe ;

And thus its fenfe appear'd ;

XXII,
Ljfe*s humhk vaU is mofi fecure\

Cares on tij exalted wait :
Tet thofe vjho well the weak proteH

Ikferve unenvy*d State.

FABLE

FABLES OF F L O W B R S. ^3

FABLE Vf.
The WHITE ROSE and tb^ RED.

.':i3 i
I.

CONTENDING beauties, whom the doom
Of Fate has Ml afilgiiM
Two fragmnt rival flovvVs to blow, . • ^
And fcent the weilern wind; ,' c.,\

XL

The White Rose and the blush.inq R-bd,

Each one the garden's pride.
With equal grace their leaves difplay'd^

And flourifl^'d ftde by fide. -■^-^-' ^^ *-^' t^^^^ "

HI.

The /r/? of fpotlefs beauty vain

That fudden caught the eye
The Iqfi attentive praife to gain

From her more fanauine dve. ^ ^a;i:ju*.

-)

- V

p ^' *0^ 3^^ K'St ISJ'-lh ^^

54 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

IV.

Of fovVeign virtue both well knownj
Both favour'd from above :

Still fdl of glory rofe each flowV,
Emblems of gentle Love.

Yet 'twlxt their flocks wild feuds fubHit,

To work them lalFing woe;
Whiltt each of other fail coinpI^inM,

And flrove her overthrow.

■VI.

** Shame, fald the Red, on that pale hue,
** Which fpeaks the wearer's heart j

*• That, void of virtue as of grace,
** No colour can impart.

VII.

" Unlike the blufhes that adorn
** My flow'r with colour meet,

** Aurora's, when fhe wakes the day,
*' Appear not half fo fweet."

Nay !

FABLES OF FLOWERS. s^

VIIL

*' Nay ! Shame on thee, the White reply 'd,
** Whofe blufli by guilt was giv'n:

" Ev'n by the blood of Venus fhed,
** Our patronefs in Keav*n'.

IX.

** Till then like me all Rofes were,
** Whofe ancient ilock I claim ;

<* And, void of crime, flili reprobate
** Their colour with their name,"

** This and much more fhe angry fai.^;

" But Jove's immortal HowV^
*' Their ill-meant converfaticn broke,

'* With foft, perfuafive powV.

a According to the old Fable, thcRofe was at firft always white,
till Venus, while (he was pni fuing Adonis, fcratched herfelf with
its thorns, and thereby ftaincd it with her cceleftial blood.

^ The Amaranth.

B 4 ** Forbear,

56 FABLES OlF FLOWEHS,

XI.

*< Forbear, ftie cry'd, in haughty gulfe,

" Reproachful to contend ;
" Whoe'er the vl«5lrlx, fmall her gain,

" That thvis can lofe a friend,

XIL
" Aily'd by Nature in your kind,

«* And diffVing but in Hue :
♦♦"You both pofTcfs mtrinfic worthy

*' And outward feenuty too.

xnh

** Long was the fiiife ycJat * ancient iht?,

** In this our iile jnufuM ;
" Which miiny n yenr drencbM either Rofr,
»* In feas of kiiidied blood.

XIV,
** Oh ! may no more fuch honors rife,

** Within -our Garden's pale-
** But all with emulation ftrive,

** That concord may prevail!

a Alluding to the Civil Wars of Ycrk and Laricafier, in whith
the White Rofe and the Red were adopted as tokens or'devices
fcy thsir different canifans,

" May

FABLES OF FLOWERS, 57

XV.

** May civil feuds and ranc'rous hate

♦* From lience be banifh'd tarj
** Foul is that ftrife, where friends conteft,

** And wage inhuman war.

XVI.

** Then to this folemn truth give carj

*' Where trifles thus are fri-x^d^ "

" If f.vo for nj'iHory Cd7ite7id\
*' Thej hfith 'Will be- defpisd,^^

P S FABLE

J}r7jy7/.

/Ar //'(>('//, J

JFabrVM

r ^//?i^///</?2^ i^t/frAtNmf/^/inifr

FABLES OF FLOWERS. S9

FABLE Vir,
The C R O C U S.

* O A Y, benuteons flow'?, whofe burnifhM leav&s
O '* With Spring's own livery- glow :

** In thefe bleak months, why doll thou chufe
" T' adorn a waite of luow ?

IL

•* Say, doll thou gi*udge to furaraer-fkics,

** That bloom divinely bright :
** Or, are thy beauties cleiirer feen^

•♦ Through this thin Robe of White ?

IIL

" The Snow-drop, thy companion fair,

" As well thy foil might prove,
♦< And both might blo(bin in feafons fwect^

*' And far from . hence r€rn.o"^e,

D 6 « T9

6o FABLES OF F L O W E H S.

IV*.

«' To Summer's gayer months benign;

" Shoula*ll thoU' transfer tliy reign,
** Thy beauties ilill would brighter glow,

** And doubly grace the plain. — ^"

V. ■

I fald: — the lovely fmiling flowV,

The beauty of its race;
And friendly to the fons of men,

Reply'd with- decent grace :

VI,

" Nature's great book before thee fct,-"
** She blames thee not ,to fcan
Her works on every fide difplay'd^,
*^ The fit employ of man.

««

vir.

** When Spring and Summer glad the earthy

** Ten thoufand beauties bloom ;
'** And various fiowVs of briahtell hue,

** Diffafe a rich perfume.

* *' Autumn

FABLES OF FLOWER'S.

VIII.
•' Autumn of fruKs her tribute brings^

" \^- itii yellow har-vefis crown'd ;.
^ Then laugh the hills and vales, and meads-

" With, richeft plenty crown'd..

IX.

** Vrinter, at length,, with gloomy brow^

" Comes on to clofe the year;
*' Wnen flow'rs and . fruits, and all their race,

*■' Almoil extinct appear.

X,

** Yet ftill fome few the gracious Pow'rs

** Permit of thefe to l)loom :
** Nor heap alike all Flop^a's race,

" In one remorfelefs tomb.

xr. I

** And foon as to the \vat*iy Sign^,

** The Sun reti^ats again ';' ■
** Then (he my -Uarny d)^s awaken, -^-.d zl :l ^

** And bids me deck the plain. o'^ jf9w?r< ao<^.i

62 FAB LES OF FLOWERS.

XIT.
'* Nor lefs my worth bccaufe 'midil fnows,

** My head I early rear ;
•• My flowV iHll frefh and lively blooms,

** As at the clofing year.

XIII.

** And know, when Autumn's Sun prevails,

*' My kindred flow'rs arife; •
" In forms which heav'nly potv'rs might praife,

** And fcent the ambient fkies *.

XIV.

<* Thefe evVy difmal gloom difpel;

" Which mis'ry can impart,
** And joy and gladnefs Hill infplre,

"And harmonize the heart.

XV.

** Meanwhile my earlier flatlon here,

** (Health's harbinger) I keep,
•»■ To glad the fad and cloudy days;

<* When Spring's foft Zephyrs fleep,

a It is here to be noted that the autumnal Crocus Is the
S«0ron Flgwer, A> famous in Mcdkiac*

•^ So

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 63

XVI.

** So, in the Wiater of his days,

** Chcar thou thy drooping friend;
** His forrows footh, his griefs afTuage,

*' And prompt afliilance lenfl.

XVH.
^' So, when his fate and fortune louf-^

** Thy better aid impar-t j
** And with thy fortune's warmer ray,

*' Revive his dying heart.

XVIII.

She faid;— the moral well became

The fweet, propitious flow'r;
I^markM the lore with heedful mind,

And owft'd fair frxewps hip's pow*r»

f ABLE

64. FABLES OF FLOWERS,

F A B L E VIII.

The Anemone aiid the Pass Jon'FloWer.

i:

" Xy RIGHT fl6w'r, tehown-d in ancient timeit,

JD " Amidit the Cypri.ui "fi'ades ;
** The theme of wottder ^ild *-b/ ^t&ih.

" To foft SIdonian maids,""

** Hail ! Goddefs-born ! hail ! -thbu produc'd

*^ From the bright mingled «fl6od
" Of Venus' tears, 'as l5ards hmQ 'funr;,

•* And her Adonis" blood. •' '

in:

•< Rich are thy bloiToms in each hue-
** That can inchant the fight;

•* And ftrike at once the ravifh'd eye
♦* With wonder and delight.

t" Hail!

Jlid.IZ

1/ ^\* ^ff*<^/Hfi ■— ^

TadX

FABLE'S OF FLOWERS. fe^

♦* Hail ! facred Plant, born but to IheW

" Adonis* yearly wound ;
" By gentle VENtr 3 taught to bloom,

** With he*av*niy "beauties ei'own'^r*

y.

I (M i whm h ; m% mM fbrm
Upon my Qrg\m tokf f
And, like fame bfight eegMi.Hl p9w%
In l0% t€Cf flti fpdkl J * »'iowi -.

VL

*♦ Henec, thou profaflf j itg? wqur4 me fhus

" With thy unthdlowM '^g; ' - ' ' "
*♦ But turn, and fee, who blolfbnis he^e,
*' To wliom thy ilrains belong,

vir.

" The Tyrian Boy, and Venus' felr*,

'^ Before my face fliall fly ;
<^ Their beauty gone, their luftre lofl,

" And all their charms Hi^il dic^

*>' i aim

66 FABLES OK FLOWERS.

VIII.
*' I am the only flowV on earth,

** With figns divine adorn'd ;
** By me, of Heav'n thus favour*d high,

** All Pagan Gods are fcorn'd.

IX.

" The purple ring, the bloody crowr>^

** The nails, and guilty ipear»
<* That flew the Lord of Life, behold

** In my fymbolic fphere,

X.

** Deep to Lethean (hades my root

" Still downward feems to tend ;
♦' As from the Crofs's facred bafe,

*' To Hell it would defcend.

XL

'^ Then here thy mif-plac'd reverence Ihew,

*' And bow before this flirine ;

*' Where Angel Hoils themfeh^es might pray,

" And own the Plant divine.'*

She

FABLES OF FLOWERS- 67

xir.

She fald; Adonis* flowVet bowM,

As to fuperior powV;
My confcious heart was llruck with dread;,

Before the wond*rous flow'r.

XllL

But whilfl Intent my rev*rence there-
with honour due to pay;

The heav*ns withdrew their ufeful Iight>
And clos'd the hours of day.

XIV.

Ilook*d; — no more thofe figns I faw.
Which had my rev'rence drawn:
For ever fliut the mirrour Hood*,
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 facred beauties fled,

Or faded on the view ?

» This flower opens in the morning, and fades away In the eve-
ning, clofing up, and never opening again.

Film

6a FABLES OF F L O W E 1^ S.

^^ain then is ail external arxt^

^hat images impart j
And He that rules above is h^fl

kisorJed' in lh» h ^ A R r *

FABLE

f A B L E S: jO F P L a W^a S.

FABLE IX. ^''^"'^

The LILY and NARCISSUS,

J/

" A ^ ' ha^^lefs difcontetitecj flowV,

Xa. « That yelldw leaves^ adcim;
*« Who once in life's gay v^^rnal pride

^* The biighteft iiymphs could'll fcom^

Ih

»« Hard was thy lot^ and fhort thy date,

*' By form too fair undone;
'* Thou nie^'il:, alas ! a tlmdefs doom,

" £re half thy courfe was nm>

III.
<* Unhappy, fdf-admlring youth,

*^ A kilbn thou O-tak prove ; '

*^ T' avoid vain pride, that idle toy,
" And ihun prepoft*rou§ love.

*^ Fair
3

79 FABLES OF FLOW^&RS,

IV.

** Fair when a boy, now chang*d, no more
" Thofe beauties can^l thou boaft :

<* But ever fadly may'll: repent
*' In vain thofe beauties loft.

V.

** View ydnder Lily's fnowy pride,"

'* Sprung from a feed divine ;
** Then own how much her beauty bright,

<• Fond flowV, out-rivals thine!"

VL

With modeft grace the Lily bow'd

The honours of her head ;
Then, with a fweet and modeft grace.

She thus inftrudive faid:

VIL
«**Wcll may they droop, to whom their fate,

«» With form divinely fair,
*♦ No other, better boon has giv^n

*• To make that beauty deaf*

« For

F.ABLliS OF FLOWERS. 71

vin.

** For not tbis glofTy white I beir,

" Delight ot human eyes ;
** Nor this fo graceful form admirVl,

** Are what I vvilh to prize.

« From heav'nly (Ifain *I iirH arofe,

** Eml^lem of chaitc defires;
** And iVill that chaftity retain,

** And check unhallowM fires,

X.

« No eifipty felf-adm'irer, I

** Would Folly's trophies raife •
" Such 'vh-iuc then let all applaud,

** Not empty kaufy praife.**

a According to the Old Fable, Jupiter beliig willing to m&kH
Hercules inr»mortal, caufed him to fuck Juno while Ihe was afleep ^
when the milk gu/hing Out into a gfeat quantity, fome of it being
fpilt upon the fky, made the galaxy or milky way there^ while the
reft falling to the earth, gave birth to the White Lily.

She

fz FAR iMi OT F h O W E R^S,'

XI,

She faidj and ftrait the moral found
Deep entrance in my breail ;

BeAVTY, if not 'VJith VlRTUB/V^X

Js hut an idk jefl^ .• ^' r ^ , . ,.

if ABXE

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 75>

FABLE X.

The IVY and SWEET BRIAR.

" TT AIL, facred Ivy ! hall," I fald,
JL X " Devote to Bacchus' Jhrine;

** Parent of wreaths, which deck the bro\V3
*' Of Gods and men divine.

IL

** Why call thee baleful, why defpife

" Thy ancient friendly race;
** Who clafp the Elm and llurdy Oak

** In myftical embrace. •

IIL
" Minerva's bird too deigns to dwell

** Where thou art frequent feen ;
*' Who loves the calm and peaceful hour,
** And courts the deep ferene.

E *« Thoti,

74 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

IV.

** Thou, like the Vine, thy patron*s joy,

*' Thy nurture wilt receive,
•' And, twining clofe with friendly arms,

" Wilt flill fupported live.

V.

'' With Phoebus' laurel juftly thou
** May'il hold divided claim;

** The crown of glorious conquerors,
*' And meed of deathlefs faaie.**

VI.

Thus whilil I fpoke, the Well: wind rofe,

And fcatter'd rich perfume,
From thickets, where fweet Eglantine

Appeared in vernal bloom,

vir.

Thence a foft voice falutes my ear>
Which thus complaining faid;

*' Fond youth, to yonder noxious weed
*' Why all thefe honours p.^id?

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 7jf

VIIL

'*' The Vine, 'tis true, will wed her Elm;

" But view the dow'r fhe brings !
*' From yonder fleril, forc'd embrace

*'* Alas ! what pront fprings ?

IX.

** Like a falfe friend, too fure, {he twines,

*' Intent but to deftroy;
*' As Jealoufy, Love's offspring, ilill

** Imj>oifons all Love's joy,

X,
** How poor that 'virtue^ which retires

*' To folitude for aid !
** HoxK) weak that wZ/^^z/z, which can fhinc

** Alone in night's dun {hade!

XL

" And what, though gods and godlike men
*' Their vidor brows have bound

«* With ivy'd wreaths ; is then the weed
** For that alone renown'd }

76' FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XII.
*« Say rather. In that purer age,

*' When fpotlefs honour relgn'd.;
*' The vi6^or, feeking only fame,

" A worthlefs crown obtained.

XIII.

•* Hence Ivy, Parfley, Oaken Boughs,

** Their labour well repaid,
" Who not for gain, but glory's charms,

*' Their generous flrength difplay'd.

XIV.
" But thou, regardful of fair truth,

** And glory juflly gain'd ;
** Scorn the frail claim of upllarts bafe,

*' By fuch falfe means obtain'd.

XV.

«* Not lorrovod names from high dej'cent^

" Are real honour* s meed;
<* But thty alone are great, whofefame

•* Springs from their own j/^/r dced.^^

FABLE

J^aS.ju:

TahXR

:^A&r /tUiA l^6fmarcm^i

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 77

FABLE XL
The VIOLET Transplanted,
1.

WHERE fragrant field.flowVs, gaily fpread,
Drink deep the morning dew i
Clofc by a murmVing iiv'iv;t*a iiUc
An humble Vi'let grew.

IL

To her the cultur'd fpot unknown,

She bloom'd in her retreat ;
And there in native fragrance blefs'd,

DifpersM a world of fweet.

IIL

But yet not undifturb'd her lot

By Providence was cafl ;

For oft' the herds went grazing forth

And laid the meadow wafte.

E 3 And

78 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

IV.

And oft' the trav'ler's carelefs ftep

Had laid her on the plain ;
Yet, By the living flreamlet fed.

She foon reviv'd again.

V.
At length a curious Florift faw

The fweetly blooming flo\v*r ;
Caird her the field's and garden's pridt,

And plac'd her in his bowV.

VL
Here, with a thoufand beauties <ang'd,

Her elegance was loft;
No more the cultur'd fpot Ihe graeM ;

No more fair Flora's boafl.

vn.

Abandon'd by his hand, who firfl
Her charms with pleafure view'd ;

She in her rife beheld her fate,
And now nededed ll'ood.

Sli*

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 7<^

vm.

Slie drooped, fhe pluM ; the rkher foS.

No nurture could afibrd ;
And oft* in vain her humbler lot i

The fading flow'r depWd,

IX.

The happier tribes that flourilh'd -round

Did each her ftate deride;
Rejoicing that {he paid To dear

For what they deem'd her pride.

X.

The Sun in Cancer flam'd aloft

Dry thirfl her moirture drank; ■-. '

In vain flie wifh'd the lucent flood.

Or fhade of ofiers dank.

XL ;: -

OpprefsM at length (he drooping fell,

As ready to expire;
Her bofom unrefifting fpread

To Sol's confuming fire.

F 4 When

So FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XIL
When lo t from heav'n a gentle rain

CoolM that too fervid ray ;
And foon reviv'd the beauteous flow'r,

Which glow'd upon the day.

xiir.

Her bloom reflor'd, renewM again ;

Her former lore' attends ;
And midil the faireft of the fair

She numbers now her friends.

XIV.

Yet, deeply flruck with former ills,
An humble flow'r ihe blooms ;

No pride that lovely bofom knows,
Whence Zephyr iteals perfumes;

XV.

And to the Fair this iifefui truth

She evermore reveals;
T'/jat jlje heji knovjs her Beauty i force^
xWbo modcjlly conceals*

FABLE

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 8i

FABLE XII.

The TULIP and the AMARANTH,
I.

WHERE various beauties mingled rife.
All grateful to the view;
With variegated beauties bright,
A gaudy Tulip grew.

IL

Its leaves with flamy fplendour fhinc,

Mix'd with more vivid green ;
And all the tints that deck heav*n's bow

Upon the flow'r are feen.

in.

The gently palling vernal air

The beauteous plant carefs'd;
And Zephyr ever pleas'd reclin'd

Upon the charmer's breaft^,

E 5 ^ Wbil«

2t FABLES OF FLOWERS.

IV.

While near at hand the gentle flow'r,.

Caird Am^raj^th, below
The blooming guefl of Jove's own feats^

Deign'd. in hei prime to grow..

V.

Yet {he with hairs uncouthly deck'd,

Unlike the Tulip race,
Is not among the flo^vr*ets foimd^

Whofe colours mark their grace..

VL

This fwell'd her rival's empty pride,

And, vain of empty fliew ;
The Amaranth alkance fhe ey'd,.

And thus contemptuous fpoke;

VIE

« Of all the flow'rs that deck the lawn,

*^ The progeny of Spring;
** And all that of maturer birth

** The later feafons bring:

FABLES OF F L O W^E R S, 83

VIII.

" Of all that for their fairer forms

" May raife the juileft claim;
** Of all that men for beauty prize,

" Or from perfection name :

IX.

** Behold me, firft and falrefl known,

'* Still lov'd and valu'd moft ;
** Soft daughter of the vernal hour^

" The cultur'd garden's boaft.

X.
* Why deign I then fo long with the/g

" To dwell without referve;
" That fcarce, though vulgar eyes they charm,

^* The name of Flow*r deferve ?**

XL

The blooming Amaranth, unmov'd,

Reprefs'd her forward pride;
The boafter's arrogance defpis'd,

And wifely thus reply'd;

F6 « Yes,

g4 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XIL

" Yes, gaudy thing ; thy various hues

*' Are fine indeed and gay;
" Glaring thou glitter'it on the fight,

*< And flaunt'il it to the day !

XIH.

** No flow'r around more bright can blow,

" In beauty more mature !
** But tell me, falfe, frail, giddy thing,

'' How long Ihall that endure?

XIV.

" Me, not the leaft of Flora's tribe,

** Me thou hall laughM to fcorn,
" And deem'd my claim to beauty vain^

** Although coeleilial born.

XV.

" For know, though fcarce allowed by thee

** To rank among the fiov/'rs ;

** From Heav'n I draw my high defcent,

" And bloom'd in Eden's bow'rs.

3 '' And

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 8^

XVL

" And Hill eternd is my race,

*' No frail decay I know;
" But, emblem of the firll great Spring,.

" For ever bl'X)m below,

XVII.

" But t'lou ! the pageant of an hour».

" Too quickly {halt deplore
" Thofe beauties with'ring all auay,

" Which fade, to charm no more.

xviri. ,

** Thou^ wretch I no fecond Sprij^g ihalt fee,

" To renovate thy bloom ;
" Whllil / furvive the Uroke of fare,

*' And triumph o'er the tomb.

XIX.

" Ceafe then thy hoaft ! in Wifdom^s lore

" Go learn thyfelf to knovv' ;
" And by her never-failing rulje

*' J>-^<%e all things here below.

'^ A fleeting

86 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XX.

A Jli:eting joy^ a fading hloom^
" 3%; char 7)1 the ravtjh'^d Jight\.,
That only which is truly good,
** U lafti7igy as 'tis i right,"*

FABLE;

Fahjm.

yO-e/iitda. h //u- i/dfiieMi or I r^u/Mo^^^umy^Ut

FABLES OF FLOWERS.

F A B. L E Xlir.
THE HONEYSUCKLE.

AT height of noon, a youth reclined
Beneatli a woodbine bovv*r ;
Defended by vvhofe thick'ning (hade,
He pafs'd the fultry hour,

IL

But when mild breezes cool'd the air,
And length'ning (hadows rofe;

He fcann'd with philofophic mind
The place of his repofe.

IIL

High over-head the twining boughs^
Where thoufand blpflbms glow,

Of ev'ry beam of light bereave '
The cool alcove below.

Ah

88 FABLES OF FLOWER

IV.

" Ah ! (faid the youth) ungrateful flill !

" And dofl: thou thus repay
*' The bounties of that glorious God,

** Who wak'd thee into day ?

V.

*' While he ir- his meridian courfe

" Illumines v. Je the fky j
" Doft thou, O -vvvetch, refiif his povvi'V,

** And all his be -ms defy ?

VI.

'* Unlike to thee, Ingrate, behold
" The Sun-flow'r ('^inks his i.ght,*:

** Lives, to his radiai-cc ever true,
*• And with him links to nights

VII.
" But like fome faitLlefs favorite you,

" Or fome more K.iihlefs fair;
** Spurn at the very pow'r that grac'd,

*' And made you what you are.

*'0h!

FABLES OF FLOWERS. ^n

vm.

" Oh ! ufeful leiTon to be leam'd,

" With fcanty hand to pour
** Thofe bleffings, which, when once conferred,

" Shall ne'er be thought on more 1"

UnmovM the beauteous Woodbine heard,

Then, nodding from ©n high,
Shook the green honours of her brovvi

As thus (he made reply j

X.

<* Vain Is the hypocrkic plea

" That gilds the felfifh eiidj
** And bafe the poor unfeeling heart

" That ill repays a friend,

XL

" For mcy not fuch my care ill-plac'd ;■—

" My bleliings unconlin'd,

'* I give each gentle breathing air,

*' Aiid Icarter to the wind,

" What

90 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XII.

** What if my leaves exclude that PowV
'* By whom thou fay'li I live;

** Yet He beholds me, while I bloom,
" A grateful tribute give,

XIII.

" My fragrance, nay, that friendly fhadc,
" Which you ungrateRil blame,

** Are ©iF*j'inga ftlll to pHOBstrs* felf,
" Who nura'd them with his flamCo.

xrv.

** He, for the ufe of bafe mankind,

** Bade me all thefe difpenfe :
" For whom I Ipread thefe vernal charms,

" So plealing to the fenfe.

XV.

*^ Ungrateful thou, thy ill-meaat charge^

'* Take back, fo mif-apply'd:
*' And fairly reafon wltli thy heart,

" And check thy felfilh pride..

*< Thou,

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 91

XVI.

** Thou, in my fiiadows late reclin'cf,
" Could'il pafs the hours at eafe j

** T^'hen^ what is n&vj ingratitude,
*' Thy narrow jnind could pleafe.

XVII.

** Take back the cha,fge ,* thy maxim iao ^
" With thee kt ethers ufg}«-

** Kegp THOU thli moml in thy miftdl^
" 2"' enjoji, hut not ahfu^^

FABLE

i)z FABLES OF FLOWERS.

FABLE XIV.

THE B LU E-B E L L; or,

Venus's Looking-Glass*

0*E R verJant lawns > and dappled m^ads,

Oa iv'iy tr-ft, ©h tv'ry flow'?}
Fhlbfephii'd thg maid*

IL

The Cowflip, and tli© Primrofe too,

Had ofNtii'Rfs been her themf j
And yellow Crocus* flaming dyes

Had ting'd her waking dream.

IIL

For, roving o*er the pathlefs grafs.

Or through the woodland wild;

She oft with Contemplation walk'd

Bright Fancy's ihvccieji child.

Abforb'd

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 93

IV.

Abforb'd and loft in Nature's maze, ^

Then rapt from earth ilie flood ;
And, pleas'd, in all his various works,

The great Creator vievv'd,

V.

»Twas fmiling May; the op'ning year

With vernal grace was crownM;
And ev'iy plant, and ev'ry flov/r,

Ditfus'd ftfih fragrance round.

VL

From cultur'd gardens far remote

The beauteous charmer rov*d|
And liilen'd to the birds wild notes,

And rang'd thofe meads (he lov*d.

VIL

To court the touch of her fair hand,

Each field-flow'r eager prefsM;

To balk beneath her funny eyes,

And kifs her fnowy breaft*

Amongft

94 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

VIIL

Amongfl: the crowd, a fiow'r Hie 'fpy'd,
Long fince well known to fame;

Of Venui Looking-glafs whofe pride
Afllim'd the pompous name.

IX.

<* And how ! fhe cry*d, can'ft thou dilplay,

** To captivate tlie fight,
^* More than the flream, which yondcf rolls

** Its glafly mirrour bright ?'*

X.

She fought in vain; a bell-fhap'd flowV,

With Vi'let blofToms crown'd:
Dilfus'd itfelf with mingled corn,

And purpled o'er tlie ground,

XL

She pluck'd, but ftrait away ihe cafl

The vain pretender far;
Which angry ruffled all its flowVs,

In vegetable war :

" What

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 9^

XIL

** What had bright Venus' mirroiit done,

*<■ Thus to be caft afide ?
♦' Or how (Ihe faid) could Vemus' Nymph

** The Goddefs' gift deride ?"

XliL
^* Peace! angiy thhig ! Belinda faid;

" Not Venus I defpife;
♦* Butj;<7z^, who by your own falfe glafs

" Would cheat deluded eyes.

XIV.

" What boots it thus your high defcent,

*•* As Goddefs-born, to claim;
" If not one fmalleft trace appear

** Of your exalted name ?

XV,

** Go! in yon' real mirrour view

" The form which you polTefs ;
'*' Then fpeak but what you really are;

♦* And be your boalting leis.

** A Blue-fedl

96 FABLES OF F L O W E R sS.

XVI.

*' A Blue-bell of the iineft dye,
" You well may be allow'd;

*' But Venus^ Looking-glafs in vain
*' Would cheat a giddy crowd.*'

XVII.

The haughty flow'r corrected flood.—

Attend, ye Britifh fair:
Let not appearances prevail \

JBe real worth your care,

XVIII.

jind know, whoe'er hy 'vain pretence

Shall others feel to hllnd\
Muji ftand abajh^d, when brought before

The MIRROUR OF THE MIND.

FABLE

Ja6.TV,

r /A^ ^^rAi/iw^^ty:Uur^

Fahm.

J/ie^yih/i^. hJi,n 'M

'fYy

Olj/^^

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 97

FABLE XV.

The LARKSPUl^and the MYRTLE^
I,

"17 AV'RITE of Mars, amldH the tribct
-»• That on bright Flora wait.
And fwell the glories of her reign
With more than regal flate;

IL

The Larkfpur, plant of ancient ilock,

Advanc'd his enlign high}
And claim'd th* immortal wreath of fame,

Due to a Deity.

in.

Like fome bold warrior's is his mien;

Helmet a«d fpurs he wears ;
And on his coat of vary*d dye»

Each warlike blazon bears,

F Proui

98 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

IV.

Proud of his form, and of the » Pow'r

That from his conta^^ fprung;
Exalted above all his peers,

Thus Pride infpir'd his tongue;

V.

« Ye painted, puling race, Uvaunt!

•' To greater merit yield;
*' Forego the honours of the day,

" When I difpute the field.

VL

c* Far hence your tinfel trappings bear

** To fome luxuriant bed,
<* Where, nurs'd by Zephyr's wanton gales,

** Their idle bloom may fpread !

VIL

*' In ME behold the warrior's grace,

" And monarch's pow'r difplay'd ;
" In me, to Heav'n itfelf ally'd,

'* In martial pomp array'd.

» Juno is fald' to have conceived Mars by only touching the
flower called Larkfpur.

'* Emblem

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 99

VIII.

** Emblem of thund*nng Mars I rife,

" My boafi: and ofTspring too;
" Then own the progeny divine,

" And pay the tribute due."

IX.

The Myrtle heard ; — fair Venus' care,

With peaceful honours crownMj
The glory of the genial hour,

By lovers flill renown'd.

X.

** And how ! faid (he, redoubted knighf,

** Would'll thou with us engage?
** Did ever Mars, of glory vain,

*' Rough wars with Venus wage?

XL

** Her flow'r I am; her name I boaft,

*' Who can mankind fubdue;

** And by a gentler method far

*' Than any known to you.

^ z " Sajf,

lOo FABLES OF FLOWER

XIL

" Say, boafler, what are realms deflroy'd

»* By many a foughten field;
*' When defp'rate battles, bravely won,

** A bloody harvell yield?

XIIL

" Can thefe atone the dreadful ills

" That walleful wars fupply;
** 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 greatefl gift produc'd;

*' And let our conteft end.

XV.

*' The Palm to Pallas was decreed,

** Who ram'd feir Athens ; there
'* The warlike Heed, great Neptune's boafl,

" Yields to the Olive fair.

*< The»

F ABJU^S OF FL0W|:RS. loi

XVI.

^ Then thou, proud Knight, exult no more,

" Abafe thy haughty creft,-
" Give honour due to meek-ey*d Peace,
** And Love, her genial gueft*'

XVII.

Lei then great Mars hh Ptn^fr rcfiyn

^0 brigJpter 'Vehv&^ Jame ;
Ami quit the glories of the fields

Whm Love dijj^uk^i de Mhk

F5 TABLII

102 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

FABLE XVL
ThePOPPY andtheSUN-FLOWER.

L

TRANSPLANTED from the neighb'ring mead.
Which long her prefence gracM;
The crimfon Poppy rear'd her head,
In the rich garden placed.

II.

Thence, fann'd by many a gentle gale,

Full oft her fcent is borne ;
Both when the evening fhades prevail.

And at the rife of morn.

III.

At noon, when ev*n without l?er aid

The flow'rs all droop'd around ;

Clytie, bright Phoebus' love-fick maid.

With all bis glories crown'd,

Still

FABLES OF FLOWERS. loj

IV.

Still turning to his orb her face,

Survey'd th* intruding guefl ;
And, foe to ev'ry fleepy pow'r,

The Granger thus addrefs'd;

V.

»* Long have we feen each field-flow'r bloom

** Our cultur'd gardens fhame:
!" Which, hither brought, triumphant rife,

f* And fhare our nobler fame:

VL

«< Thou, drowfy Poppy, too, at lafl,

" Our rival doft appear,
** Replete with drugs, whofe pois'nous Urcngth

" Corrupts the ambient air.

VIL

** But think not here, infulting weed !

** (Fair Ceres' hate and bane)
'* Thy drowfy magic (hall prevail,

** To blot our brighter reign,

F 4 "Go,

104 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

VIII.

" Go, feek thy fields ; with noxious weeds

** Divide detefted fway:
** Or, where thy flumbers nought diilutl?^

" Shun the glad face of day,

JX.

'< Whili> I, to Phoebus ever true,

" Rejoicing in his light ;
•* To the great God his tribute pay,

*♦ And check the pow'rs of Night.'*

X. .
She fpoke ; — The nodding PoPPY then,

Serene, made this reply :
*' Proud iiovv'r, I envy not thy l!late,

** Nor coat of richefl dye.

XL '

** What boall'll thou of his genial powV,
** Who flighted all thy charms ;

** And, in thy beauty's brighteft noon,
** Fled to another's arpis t

•* How

FABLES OF FLOWERS. lo^

XIL

•* How didil thou mourn, and how revenge?

•' Leucothoe * fpeaks thy crime;
** Whofe odours ftill to Heav'n afcend,

** And fhall to lateft time,

XIII.

" Not Lovcy but P/'/y, mov'd high HeavTi

" To make thee what thou ait;
** And place amidft the blooming flow'r*

*' A Nymph with broken heart.

XIY.
" Ceafe then to vaunt thy heavenly love^

** Nor me fo much defpife;
** Full plain th' advantages appear,

** Which from my pow*r arife.

* Apollo having forfaken Clyde for this Nymph ; the former,
ia return, informed Leucothoe's father of his daughter's amour
with Phoebus. He thereupon buried Leucothoe alive 3 but Phce-
bus changed her into a Frankincenfe Tree j and after this, Gly».
tie being difcarded by the God, who was beyond meafure oi^ended
with her, ihe pined away, and was changed into a Sun- Flower.

F ^ « ]Me

iq6 fables of FLOwMs. '

XV.

** Me Ceres hates not] but my feed
** Great Nature near lier fows;

•* Where, far unlike a noxious weed,
** The beauteous flow Vet blows.

xvi.

•* Sleep, gentle God, the eafe of grief,

*' To weary man I bring ;
•* From care and pain the fweeteft balm,

<* Of vigorous health the fpring.

xvir.

'** I, to the wretched friendly ilill,
" The mourning captives aid;

** My fuccour to the poor extend,
" And eafe the love-fick maid.

XVIII.

** Then what Heav'n order'd for the bcft,

** Do thou no longer blame:
** Let tr.e old Morpheus' honours fliare,

** Joy ibou in Phoebus' flame.

" More

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 107

XIX.
** More need I add ? — Search Earth around,

" And thou fhalt truly fay,
*' More Firtues in Life's Jhadc wll hloom^

*' Than in her blaze of ^<ry,"

F6 FABLE

TaiJML.

f//wt/f(<i '/ /u

UJ^t^

TaSJCmi

(J he \y/akf^M^utn/ i^0^ol/ Mot^

uf^r

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 109

FABLE XVIL

The IRIS^ or FLOWER de LUCE^
aad th€ ROSE.

YE S, there are fome who, proudly vaia
Still boaft of others" due ;
With empty titles cheat the crowd.
And fet falfe ihows to view^

II.

Such ever ancient worth difgracej.

Make real titles fcorn'd ;
While by bright Honour's genuine race

Thofe titles are adorn'd.

m.

The faireft of fweet Flora's tribe

Boaft not the proudeil name;
Nor men, with gaudieft titles deck'd,

Are trucft fons 0/ I'anie,

What

no FABLES OF FLOWERS.

IV.

What art thou, bold and fprcadlng fiow'r.
In fields and gardens known;

That ftill affum'ft a Monarch's grace.
And claim'ft a Pageant throne?

V.

<* Genius of nations, guardian pow'rs,
" That ftill on Monarchs wait!

** You your own plant Ihall ftill prOtc<5t,,
'* An emblem of your ftate.

VL

** And, Goddefs of the painted Bow I
*' Still to thy flow'r prove truej

** Ally'd to thee, I juftly claim
*' Thy name and colours too*.

VJL

•< Which then of all the painted train
*' That fwell this garden's pride,

*' Shall with my honour'd name compare^
" Or fway with me divide?'*'

* I^is being the name given to the Rainbow,

Thif

FABLES OF FLOWEltiS. in

."TV

viii;

This mark'd the Rose, a modefl flpw'r,

With maiden blufhes bright;
Who, vex'd to hear the boafter's vaunt,

Aflerts her native right,

i£

" What are thy titles vain, ihe faid,

" That claim fuperior fvvay?
" Or why fliould all fair Flora's tribes

*' A rule like thine obey?

X.

" Falfe is thy boafl; thy title vain

" Not Gallia's felf will own ;
** Whofe real Lilies droop and fade,

« Where-e'er my fiow'rs are known.

XL

.4 Why Iris ? — Why by Hcav'n*s own bow

«* Would'H thou thus climb to fuwe?
" Or cannot many a vary'd flow'r

♦* Exert a fairer claim ?

« Plaia

112 FABLES OF FLOWERS*

XIL

*♦ Plain Flag thou art; — let that fuffice j

" With Lilies I contend;
•* But flow'rs like thine I flill regard,

** Alike as foe or friendj*

XHL

The vain pretender heard, abafh**!.

And hung her drooping head;
While to the genial fun her leave*

The Rose expanding fpread.

XIV.

Her odour Urait proclaim'd her queen

Of all the fmiling flow'rs ;
While the Bee fought the fragrant brcaft,

And left his hone/d bo\v*rs,

XV,

Thus to the Rose the meed was gi^'n ;

Flora confirm'd her reign;
-^«// wori/j. Hie ^r's, appronf'd hy Heav'riy

Shall J^^'v'n itfelf maintain^.

FABLE

FABLES OF FLOWERS. n

FABLE XVIII.

The NASTURTIUM and
the WALL. FLOWER.

I.

AGAINST a funny fence below
The fair Nasturtium plac*d,
Beheld how well its higheft tops
The fragrant Wall-flow'r guac'd*

n.

Without fome ufeful kind fupport

Unable to furvive;
III could (he bear another flow'r

By the fame means ihould thrive*

IIU

At lengthy one fultry fummer's noon^

When radiant Phoebus fhone
On both alike with chearing ray.

She envious thus begun ;

**Had

114 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

IV.

*'• Had r the Wall-flow'r's fragrant fcent,

" Would I alone thus bloom ;
*< On yonder peak obfcurely dwell,

** And wafle my rich perfvune!

V.

** For ihame, yield to inferior flow'rs
*« That flrange and uncouth place ;

•* Nor, like fome noxious worthlefs weed^
'* Nurfe there thy beauteous raccw

VL

•* Bciides, / claim the humbler boon,
" Againfl this fence to blow j

•* While thee the more indulgent Heav'n
** May fafely place below."

VU.

She fpoke; — the Wall-flow'r thus reply'd,

*' Ambition is not mine;
** My native place is Hill' my' joy:

« Do thou delight in thine.

FABLES OF FLOWERS. ii^

VIIL
" Full well I know that perils fllU

*' On frequent change attend ;
<* And they oft fpoil their prefent flate, . . •

" Who hafly flrive to mend. ; ■~'^"'

IX.

.** Nor lefs can I i^ drift obferve,

'* Who, envious of my lot,
** Would'fl: me of ev'ry help bereave,

** Drawn from my native fpct. , . : •

X.

" Too felfifli flow'r, who vainly thjiis

" Would'il me of life deprive;
** And by my downfall think'il: to rife,

" And on my ruin thrive.

XI.

*' Know, that th' all-chearing lamp of day

*' On both alike beflows

*' His fov'reign gifts ; for All his light

** Without diftinftion glows.

"Is

i6 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XII.

'* Is not that fourcc of genial fire

" Sufficient both to warm,
'* That thou Ihould*!]: thus unkindly feek

" Thy quiet neighbour's harm ?

xm.

** And what if I confenting give,

** Ambitious ! thy defite?
** Were I now low in afhes laid',

** Say, could'ii thou climb the highrtr ?

XIV.
«* For fliame, tV ungen'rous wifh forego,

** Rejoice in others' joy j
** And lengthen*d fcenes of double blifs

** 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,

** Aad burn with ceafelefs fi re."

Ftttdty

FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XVL

Felidty with Cojicord dvoells ;

And evry joy cf peace
Heavns /acred hand Jiill homteeus ^/tw,

Jnd hlejjes the increafe.

J^ ABLE

FaY^.jn:.

J/u' Ja/i/tinii L h ^.

jra3,JK:.

*V/f/>, fj V/A /A/ « ) A>//f '//7^

'/* '"/'

FABLES OF FLOWERS. iig

F A B L E XIX.
THE LAPLAND ROSE.

I.

AWandVing youth, by Fortune led
To bleakeft northern fhores.
Beyond the track of Ruffian wilds.
Where Lapland's tempell roars ;

IL

Who twice the Arctic circle pafs'd,

And view'd bright Hecla's * flame ;
At length, through many a wafle of fnow.

To fair Niemi came.

» A Volcano in the North, whofc fides are covered with fnow.

b The Mountains of Niemi are in the neighbourhood of a
lake of the fame name, which is faid by the inhabitants to be
frequented by the immortal Genii.

And

120 FABLES OF FLaWERS.

III.

And thence where Tenglio * rolls his ilreanr

Surveyed the profpedt round;
Beheld its banks with verdure deck*d.

And blulhing rofes crowned.

IV.

Struck with the fcene, a while he paus'd,

As loll in fweet delight;
And ey'd the faireft of the train

In native beauty bright.

V.

Yet, as he view'd the Granger flowV,

He deeply mufing cries,
*' How llrange that beauties fuch as thine
■ *' 'Midft climes like thefe (hould rife !

VI.

•* Thee no bright youth nor gentle fair

" Alas ! Ihall e*er carefs 5
** Nor fplendid fouthern funs {hall warm>

*' NcH- genial gales Ihall bleis !"

a This River is bordered wifk Rofts of at finC a blctoitt tt
liiofe which grow in our gardens.

7 ' On

I^ABLES OF FLOWERS, 12^

vir.

On hollow winds, o'er diftant |3kii»^

The murm'ring accents flew ;
KiEMi*s rftountains cau^t the fooftd,

Which ftom the lake his ftiadows dieW"-*

VIII.
•And now before the youth confefi'^d

The Genius of the clime
AppearM ; who thus inftrudi-ve Cpektf

In awful flrains fublime^

** Fond youth, who vievV*ft that beauteous flo^^r,

*' So lucklefs in thy fight!
*' Forbear to mourn her lonely Hate,

*' Whom thefc rude climes delight*

X.

** Unrival'd here Ihe fweetly blooms,

" And fcents the ambient air;
** Nor deems her brightefl beauties loll:,

"*' Whik foHer'd by wy eare«

Q *' Not

122 CABLES OF FLOWERS.

XL

'> Nor envies fhe the gaudy tribe

" Beneath the fouthern Ikies,
" That bloom in Ibme Uixurious bow'rs,

" Where mipgled iweets arife.

XII.

*' The child of bounteous Nature ! here

" She bids her bloom difpenfe
*' Frefli fvveets, the trav'ler's foul to chear,

" And glad his \veary'd fenfe.

XIII.
" Her no bright youth nor gaudy fair

"Shall COURT l^ra to destroy;
" But Lapland's finiple fwains fliall view,

♦* With imaffcBal joy,

XIV.

'* And, oft* as yon' returning Sun

<' Illumes our northern fphere,
'•* Well plcas'd (hall trace thefe flow'iy bank?.

** And pay their homage h.-rc-.,

FABLES OF F L O W E Pv S, izr

XV.

" Let others feek where fpacious meads,

** Or painted gardens glow;
•' Defpife »iy folitary flow'rs,

" And live the Haves of Ihow.

XVL

*' But kno^v, high Heav'n in defart wafles

" 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 bleffings fliare ;
" And ev'ry creature of his hand

" Is govern'd by his care.

XVIII.

'' Coavlnc'd that Providence will thus

*' For ALL alike provide;
• Learn to retrain Jffliaioyis tears,

*' And check the boajl of Prid<;''*

^^ FABLE

\-2tr. FABLES OF FLOWERS,

FABLE XX.
The DEADLY NIGHTSHADE^

•^TpsETESTED weed, enrag'd, I faid,
-»— ^ " That fpread'A thy poifon'd train

<' In this fair land, midil blooming fiow'rs,
'* Which grace the happy plain 1

IL

** Thy baleful root «m oft furely fprlngs

" From deep Tartarean fhade ;
*' By envious Daemons nurs'd below,

*' In Stygian gloom array 'd.

* The juke of this weed was generally fuppofed to be ufed I*i
Enchantments — There are however feveral forts of it, all of which
are not efteemed deadly j but only this mentioned here, the juice of
whofe berries fo intoxicated the army of Sw .10 the Daniih King,
teing mixed in their liquor, that they became an eafy prey to the
Scotch arnjy, which furpriced and cut inoA of them to piece*,
r ^« Thee

FABLES OF FLOV/ERS. 1*5

** TKee Circs, aiid Med.tia toO',

•* In black enchantment usM ;
** With banehil plants moil iitly mij4*d^

" In helllTh ilcmns flifua'd.

IV.

«' Ah! why does Parent Nature form,

** Such works, her works to fi>oil ;
** And by her <Kvn hand teach mankind^

•• Infernal arts and guile ?

** Say, fell Enchantrefs of the plainj,

** The foe of human-kind t
'" Say for what crimes maii's haplefs race

•* From thee fuch evils find!

VI.

" Oh ! quit the woods, the plains,, the fields,

" Where health and plenty bloom:
*** Retire to rocks and de fart-wilds^

«* Or fhade the Murd'rer's tomb.

126 FABLES OF FLOWERS,

vir.

*' Or rather hafle to Plvto's realm;

"■ There hide thy hated head,
<* And fioiirifh ftill' unrival'd there;

'^ Where Styx' nine flreams are Iprcatl.

VIIL

'-^ Eat here may eyVy- healing flow'r

*' In prime of beauty bloom :
•' To., fick'ning Pvlan restoring health,

'' And i}:eduing rich pci'ilimc !"

I ceasM — The Flow'r Indignant heard;

And all its leaves difplay'd
A deep'ning gloom, which '^'c.vjr^ around

A double NIGHT OF SHADE.

" Infalting Man ! fhe trembling cry'd,
*' Of creatures moil: unjuft j

'* Stiii taxing Nature with thofe faults,
*' Sprung from hh evil lull.

" The

FABLES OF FLOWERS. i:

XI.

*' The pdioivd Snake, the noxi(.us Weed,
" Earth's venom'd juices drahi ;

*' And, more "than all you' fiagJ:aat Row'rs,
" Enrich with health Vne' plaiii.

Xlf.

" Nay ni my race grows many a jilaiit,
*' Which, of rich gifts poUcil,

•' The fage PliyficHan culls witli care,
** To e.;:e ih^ Padent'e brcait.

' XIII.
** Let Man his own wild paffions tame,

*' And hufli them into Peace ;
*' Med/ea's wand, and Circe's cup,

♦' Were innocent to thfe.

xrv.

** For ME, great Nature's liigh behell:;

'' Contented I fulfil;
** Nor dream that aught by her ordain'd,

*■*• Can ever end in ///.

G4

15^ FABLES OF FLO WE JIS;,

. XV.
♦« Go thcu, fj&d youth^ and ViRTV£*s charge

** With equal care ohej i
** Then ev^ry IFeed Jhall prove a JF/e^uV^

*^ To Jirffvj thy %?/«V w<2^v

FABLE

TaI^,JlL

FABLES- OF FLOWERS. 129,

F A B L E XSI*

The CROWN IMPEPvIAL aiiJ
HEART'S-EASE.

LO ! where from Perfia's warmer cHme^
And ancient Ba^lria's land;
With interwoven purple wrought,.
The enfign of command.

IT.
The Crown Imperial rcai's alofc

His rich and gorgeous head.
And, pointing, to the diflant Iky,.

Bids all his glories Ipread.

III.
Beneath, in humbler Nation plac'^

The fair Viola grew,
Which the l6v'd name of Heart* s-EaJe Bears^
Whofe pow'r can Care fubdue.

G 5, Th«:

i;o, FABLES OF FLOWERS,

IV.

The purple monarch {\vd\\\ vvlth ire,

Indignant to behold
The fiowVet blooming near his fid<?,

ilnd thus his anger toldj

V.

•* Rafli flow'r, fecfL thou my raveful itate,
** That fpea^s the garden's king ?

** See'ft thou th' Imperial Crown that d.?cV',
*' And gems that round me Tprlng,

VI.

** I from the Eall: my lineage drew,

** Where chief of flow'fs I rife ;
«* And amidfl thoufands raife my famc^

** Ev'n to the Harry fk;es..

VIL.

** Go then, bafe daughter of the earth '

♦* Near fome vile cottage grow ; .
«* Nor give thy paltry race to rife

*' Where my bright bloflbms blovy!"

The

F A B LE S t>F -F-L O W E R S^ 131-

VIII. i l:-.-a :^.d i-i Ail zir
The f;\'eet Viola inly mourn'<l''{ ^^i^'^ iilcne*:. floM ^

The boafter*s ill-plac'd pride'j ^>l-imR v^^; flcf:; r.ndl.
And, while this anfwer Ihe Teturn*d,0^'>'.no? sysn-'. -

The ftow'r with pity ey'd :

IX. ^-ii^i^X 'iti^^ .fnssi Or '

*' Great is the boaft^ I own, fhe fard,! . ^r^i ^^xT' '
*' Of pomp and fcep.ter'd pow'r ; . ';:v:''\ v^

** Rut gyeatcr are the bleflings- found.
'* In life's ferener hour. .

X.

**• Thee purple honours ftill adorn,

'* Which teach thy leaves to (hine;
• * But to breathe fragrance on the dd^'y •

** Prgiid p]:i!u! was never thine,

XI.

*'• That I am ilranger to thy race,

*' The caufe is plain to tell ;
"' For when, tlid llcarts-Eafi ever deign ;

** Wr.h cro-\\}ned hcach to dwell r

G6 " M£

x^ FABLER OF FipWBRS,

XII.

" Me ftill in life's more hiimble vale
*' Mofl certain will you iipdj

** There mofl ^ fimple fweds ate known^
** Wheie Fortune proves leaft kjad.

XIII.
** Go learn, T^ai neither nJoeaUh nor fomf

** True hleffings can lejiorj^ j
'* On /Meet Content alone await

•* Jil Joy and hUfi ^d^.v.'»

FABLE

FABLES OF FLOWERS. i^

FABLE XXIL
THE WATER LILY,

WI T H I N a c^^ftal rlvlet bright,
Whofe fides, with verdure crown^d^
From {helving banks refle^ed wide
The landfcape bordering round,

ir.

A Water Lily peaceful' rear'^

Her lovely, graceful head;
And on the gently-heaving ftream'

Her beauteous flow'rs were Ipread..

Thence (he beheld the banks with flow'rS:

Of various kinds arrayM ;
And nodding trees, that far difpefsy

Tlieir over-hanging fnade;

134 FABLES OF F L O W'E'R S.

IV.

for there the lofty Poplar grew,

Still mingling white with green j.
And there the ru filing Afpin too

Withi tremblipg leaves was feen,. ' .

V,

The Willow, nodding o'er- the brook,

Drinks deep the flream below j
Cowilip and Primrofe near at hand, Viiivbm ijioil

And purple Iris glow,. - ■>•'■

/

The Lily, faw, and to the lake/: , _ . ,, ,,

Thus, foft-complaining ciy'd:,j:...rf h Pi- ■.,■:■>: , h'uA i^H

While gentle. Zephyrs bore the,foundi>/}ny"g 3xij fH> fecrA
Which fpread from fide to fide:.

VIL; ;

*' Ah haplefs lot\\\vh}\e ^ others hhom^

*' On yonder happy fhore,
♦i Amongft their kindred tribes — z;/)- fate.

" Here. lonely I deplore..

"Condemii'd.

FABLES OF FLOWERS. i?^

VIIL

** CondemnM amid this watry waile

** For ever to remain;
" Nor tafte 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'il: thou, thus afFront (ihe laid)

" The Pow'r by which thou a^t ?

X..

-^^ Thofe other trees and flow'rs thou fee'Il, ,

*^ All fprang from Mother Earth :
** And grateful tribute all return

*' To Her who gave them b^rth,.

XL

*< While thoy^ alas !:fhould / withdraw.-

" The leaft of this my flore ;
'*■ Shalt call on other Pow'rs in vain^i

*? Atid fink, .tojife. no more.

*^ B^auteoya.;

136 FABLES OTFLOWERSi

XII.

" Beauteous thou art, nor meanly prizM ;

" Then lay no blame on me;
** Nor feek what, though it othirs blefs^

« Muft furely ruia thee,

XIII.
** But ftill revere this iacred truth,

" WJjatever may hetidk;
♦' What Heaven decrees is ed'usays BEST^^

«■ And all is baJ) lefdil*

F A B L E

JFaiJSOK.

Tahjoam.

CJ/i^. J' LeMbxiardetv ^Ji

^-Xfa^

U^^^/

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 137-

FABLE XXm.
The FUNERAL FLOWERS*

I.

As, lonely walking o'er the plain^
With folemii ftep and flovr,
A haplefs fvvaln, at midnight hour»,
Went forth to vent his woe;,

n.

His hand the fweeteft ffow'^rets fiU'ct

That glow'd with beauty's bloom ;.
Now deflin'd with their richeft tints

T* adorn his Laura's tomb.

IIL

Lo! there each mwirnfitl flowV he flrew'd.

Which, vernal Flora bears;

With frequent fighs difpers'd them rountf,

And water'd them with, tears,

Thet«

Z3S FABLES OF FLOWERS,

IV.

There was the Vi'let's purple hue,

And Hyacinthus feen ;
*rhe ..leaves with monarch's .iiames. inrcrlb'J,.

And plaintive notes between,

• V.

Sweet. Rosemary, and many a plant

In Eaitern gardens knov/n ;
And Lover's Myrtle;, which; the Qucejit'

Of Beauty deigns to own, ■' ; ^

YL

A Sr.se, who wand.er'd there alone

In the dank dcv/s of night,
To gather plants of myllic powV,

Beneath the moon's pale light,

VII.

With fcornful fmile, and eye afkance,

The haplefs youth furvey'd ;
Who paid the lail fad tribute, there.

To the departed maid*.

And

FABLES OF FLOWERS. i

VIIL

" And what ! (faid he) fhall thofe fweet flowVs,

*' Which finking lite can fave,
*' And plants of aromatic fcent,

" Adorn a dreary grnrc'^

IX.

" For {hame, fond youth ! learn Nature's gifts

" With better fkill to prize.
" Attend her precepts ; read them here :

*' Vi<:^ frugal ^ aiid be tuZ/t',"

X,

He ceasM; the fighing youth replyM,

'* To Laura's fhade I give,
'' Unblam'd, each emblematic flow'r,

" Which >t' firil taught to live.

XL

<< And frequent here fair Flora's train

«' Uncuirj hy ME fhall bloom j
«' And, nurs'd by bright Aurora's tears,

" Diifufe their rich perfume.

39

'' Then

MO FABLES OF FLOWERS.

XIL

^ TKen ut^e me not, with narrow mind;,
V To wrong the dull below ;•

** But rather thou expand thy hearty
*' And gen'rous tears beilow.'*

XIIL

Thus as he fpoke, the Redbreast mlltT^

The friend of human-kind.
Wide fcatter'd leaves o*er the low mound^

And on the turf reclin'd^

xrr.

While pHiLOMEii with plaintive note*

Funereal dirges fung
O'er Laura's toreb, who ©ft* in Kfe

Had rnourn'd her ravlfh'd young.

And vain (Ihe hn^}. ^v^* Wifdbm's lore,.

That taught the heart to hide;.
And vain the empty idle boa^

Of Phibfophig Pride^

The

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 14^

XVI.

The flovv'rs more fweetly feem'd to fmile

Reviving at her lay ;
And fvveeter fceat, and frefher green.

The fuelling leaves difpta}^;.

XVIL

The Sage ftood chcckM, the folemn foag

Such virtue could impart;
He dropp'd a tear, to pity due.

That humaai^^d flie heart.

xviir.

The ** graceful foftnefs of the foul^
He learn'd thenceforth to prize;

And ovvnM, w^^r^ Nature touch' d the Hearty
'Tv:as Follt to he wise.

FABLE

142 FABLES OF FLOWERS*

FABLE XXIV.
The FIELD andGAPvDEN DAISY.

I.

IN fields, where Thames her fvvelling wave
Tranflucent pours along;
Where many a blooming green retreat
Infpires the poet's fong;

IL

A mead with native beauty erown'd,

Extends its verdant bed;
Where fragrant Field-flow*rs wildly bloom,

In fweet coniufion fpread.

IIL

It chanc'd a fportive youth had there

A Garden Daisy rear'd,
Which 'midil the trlb^ of wilder fort

Full haughtily appeared.

Away

FABLES O FFLOWERS. 14

IV.

*' Away ! (die cry'd) ye meaner train,
*' Whofe leaves no culture know;

** Refpet'il the Cultivated. Flower,
'' That deigns in fields to grow !

V. .

'< And chiefly thou that boaiVil fny name,

'* Though furely not alljd\
*' Claim kindred with thy native weeds,

** Nor flour ifli by my fide !

vr. -

" I know thee not;— thy form I fcorn :

" In native fplendour bright
*' Iris has dlpp'd my- painted leaves,.

" All beauteous to the light.

vir.

** Whilil: THOU ! — but vainly fpent the time,

" On fuch a flow'r beilow'd :
** Difdain'd by all the Garden's tribes,

^^ My late belov'd abode.

**K

now

244 FABLES OF F L O W £ R S»

vm.

<• Knmv ME your queen, ye low-born race^^

" Gonfefs fuperior fwayj
*' Nor longer in my prefence bloora^

** But tremble, and obey."

IX.

*' To foul reproach (the Daisy fakf)

'* What anfwer can we yield,
** When cultinjatedjiovd^s infult

** The natives of the field?

X.
*' Yet what art thou ? proud gaudy toy>

*' Defcended but from me,
♦« Who mourn too late I e'er gavje birth

*' To fuch Ingrates as thee!

XI.

^' I have my ufe, mid oft* am leen

** The village maids t* adorn :
** Go prouder thou^ in gardens bloom,

<' And be the great-onos fcora.

Bat

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 14I

xn.

" But here, proud flowV, thy date is (hort,

" The foil denies thee room ;
*' And ev'n this fpot, where now thou fwell'll>

*' Shall {hortly prove thy tomb,"

XIII.

The Sun gaz'd hot, the foreign fieli

No moillure would fupply;
Soon did the boailer droop her head^

And wither, fade, and die,

XIV.

What need I more? — ^The village fwaio.

While on the fod reclinM,
Feels the plain Moral of the Tal«

Deep graven on his mind.

H F ABt2

( )» /fe^ tV//V/l» iT/u/t^ //'/y/Z/Zc

JFa/.JKfT,

r >

tJ/w C^cJarojfU^ c->, U^u/^^h///^

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 147

FABLE XXV,
The PINKS and ARBUTUS.

L

VIRTUE, the growth of ev'ry Glimc,
Alike ihould be reverM;
Whether from diilant regions brought.
Or in mr country rear'd.

ir.

Rome, the great mlflrefs of the world>

Such height had ne'er attain'd ;
The train of worth in ev'ry land

Had her proud fons difdainM.

in.

'^xom. foveign arms, ixom foreign arts,

Her natwe glory rofe ;
And more than half her boafled Hate

She borrow'd from her foes.

148 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

IV.

Vain IS that boaft of felfifli pride,

Which deems no worth is found,
3\xt in the narrow fphere confined

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. —

VL

On fair lerne's happy fhore

A tall Areutus plac'd,
Bloom'd near a Iweetly-cultur'd Ipot,

By Pinks unnumber'd graced,

VH.
*Twas on the border of that lake %

Where vary'd profpe61s rife.
Of funny hills, o'er-hanging rocks,

And low'ring miily Ikies ;

a The Lake of KUlarney, moft romantically /ituated In the
county of Kerry, in Ireland, where the Arbutus tree is found,
which bears a moft beautiful bloflbm, and a fruit fometimes ufed
for food, and which is fuppoXsd to have been tranfplanted thither
(torn Italy.

Selina

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 149

vnt.

SeliN'a, waiiarliig hear the Lake,

The Foreiga tree fuvveyM;
*' And blooni'il thou 'midft owr native FlovvVsr"

ExclaiiuM the reJtl*ning maid— -

LX.

*^ O could thefe hands thy root remove !

" But fmce that may not be,
** Far I'll tran^lant my fragrant Race,

*' Now plac'd too near to thee."

X.

She faid — when ftrait before her ilooi

An ancient Hermit grave ;
With filver'd locks and ftreaming beard,

The tenant of the cavej

XL

••* Defill;, fond maid! the Hermit cry'd,

" Left thefe thy favour'd flow'rs
" Should die, if halHly remov*d

" From thefe their well-known bow*rs^;

H 3 •' .v:i

icp FABLES OF FLOWERS,

XIL

" What if the tall Arbutus fiiarc

" Th* indulgence of thy land ;
'-' Do not his fweetly fragrant flovv*r^

'* As fair a lot demand?

XIIL
*' Nor let Iernk's children grieve,

** Where foreign worth is fhownj
*' But learn with cultivating care

** To make th<U worth their (n^n,

XIV.

•< For thee, fair maid — the patriot flame

" Still nourifh in thy breaft :
«< But let that flame by Reafon's rules

** Be modell'd and reprefs'd.

XV.

" Know that thy country's weal depends

** Not on herfelf alone ;
" But each afliiling hand that llrives

*♦ To fix fair Freedom's throne.

** Commerce

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 151

XVL

*' Commerce and Stores from other lands

" Your glories Hill increafe; ^.ri»

*' Encourage then the golden ilream,
" And ev'ry art of peace.

xvn.

" Nor foreign FlowVs, nor foreiga Plduts, ' I— I

*' Deny a foUMng place j
€* When thofe fair Plants or blooming FIow\a

«* Bring Profit, Sweet, or Giaee*

XVIIL

'* Reje^l alone the idle weed,
** That blooms but to dellroy;

*' To cultivate the reft with care
" Your utmoft Ikill employ."

»«i.TO

XIX.

He ceas'd; — the Nymph her talk forfook,

And ftili together bloom
The beautous Tree, and fragrant Flow'rsj

Whence Zephyrs ileal perfume.

Ha FABLE

ip PAELES OF FLOWERS.

FABLE XXVI.

The COCK'S COMB and SWEET
WILLIAM.

I.

HIGH rofe the Sun, the fleeting Lours
Verged tow'rds meridian height,
And all around the glittVing fcene
Was loft in floods of light.

II.
The flocks and herde, that graz*d awhile,

^ow left the funny glade;
And in the ftream their fervour cool'd.

Or fought the fiiek'ring Ihade.

III.
Beneath a high projeded fence,

At this irradiate hour.
The fweet * Dlanthus humbly blew,

A folitary Flow'r.

» Another name for Sweet ■William.

But

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 153

IV.

But where a thoufand mingling fweets

Diffus'd a rich perfume;
The gaudy Cock's Comb, idly vain^

Appear'd in all its bloom.

V.

And " Matchlefs excellence !'* he cry*d,

** With ME what can compare?
** The fweetefl: of the vernal train

** Were never half Co fair.

VL

** My crelled head erecl I rear,

"And bloom with matchlefs grace;
* The brighteft hue my leaves adorns,

*' Of all the flow'ry race.

vn,

" Nay, to immortal pow'rs a-kin,

" Dcfcent from Heav'n I claim*;
** And from eternal-blooming FlowVs
i* Derive my honour -d name."

a This Flower is a kind of B«tftar«l Amaranth.

H s I view'd

^^4

FABLES OF FLOWERS,

viir.

I view'd the Plant, its form admir'd ;

When a more modell Flow*r
Engaged my eye, v^here foft it rofe

Within its lonely bow'r.

«< Sweet tribes, (he fang^) fair Flora's care,

*' What beauties you difplay !
" My breail expands with focial joy

*' To fee your bright array,

X.
«* To 77ie^ the la|l: of flow'rets, give,

«' Within this pale to grow:
«* And give the wed winds gentle breatli

♦♦ O'er this my bed to blow."

XI.
He fix)ke — the pow'rs indulgent heard.

Soft Zephyrs fann'd the trees ;
And o'er his humble earthy bed

DifFusM a gemk breeiie.

Snut

FABLES OF FLOWERS, i^^

XIL

Smk with the fragrance of the fcent

The winds rejoicing bore;
I own'd the pow'r of modeil worth,

Whofe rival charm'd no more ^.

XIIL

Say, Fair-ones, is the Moral plaln^

In eafy Fable dreft?
It is but this — To Merit true,

Throvo Coxcomhs from your bxeaft,

^ The Cock's Comb being a gaudy Flower; wiihout any z^rec*
able fjrncll to r^coiuimeiid it,

H 6 FABLE

Taijanr.

't>'n^^feJ^ajniH£> a/ir/ t^ietn/iH'/c ^\

FalyJXVJU.

xJhe^ C^iUmtliOTi an^^ tyaii/ncTMutwi/ .

FABLES OF FLOWERS. t;r

FABLE XXVIL
The JASMINE and HEMLOCK!

L

TOW RING aloft, a Jasmine fvveet
In a rich garden flood ;
And thence, nurs'd by wild Nature's care,
The neighboring Hemlock view*d.

II;

High o'er the pale the angry flovv'r

Rear'd her affronted head;
And, glowing in her vernal bloom.

She thus contemptuous faidi

m.

'* Say, worfe than Aconite, pernicious weed !

** How dar'fl thou here to grow ;
" And thy detelled head advance,

" Near where my bloflbm^ blow r'*

3 The

j.^B FABLES OF FLOWERS,

IV.

The angry Hemxock Urait reply 'd,
** Thou proud infulting thing i

*' Vain is thy pride, and \ain thy boaft;
" Though deck'd by gaudy Spring.

** Thou, in the blooming garden plac'dj
** May'fl pleafe the roving eye.

*' I in fome field or fecret fhade
" My vifeful aid fupply. ,

VL:

<* Nay, fcornful ilow'r ! what I declare,
«' Great Nature's felf will own : .

•* Ordaining all things fair and good,
" When once their ufe is known. ,

VII.

*< Go afk of genial Bacchus' tree,
" Where purple cluilors glow ;

•* (Whofe juice produces gen'rous wine,
<♦ Thp babi of human woe.)

Go

FABLES OF LOWERS. 1$^

VIH.

»* Go afk what various ills attendg

" That precious bahn's abufe :
'' Ills that too furely ev'n exceed

** Thofe of my baneful juice.

IX.

** Yet baneful iv/jere? when mlfappiydi

*' So is each bleffing too.
•' This lelTon learn, and know thyfelf;

« Nor rob me of my due,

X.
** Me the grave Leech, v/ho, greatly wife,

** Turns Nature's volume o'er,
** Oft fnatches from my low abode,

*' And places in his flore.

XL

« There, amongft health -bellowing plaats,

" He ranks my honour'd name;
*» And, whillt he well employs ;«)» pow*rs,

<* Exalts bimjelf lo fame.

^ , ^* Thu$

x^o FABLES OF FLOWERS.

xir.

" Thus death and life alike are mlne^
• *' Neither to thee belong:
** Though oft' by poets moll admir'd,
** The theme of idle fong,

XIII.

^ Be thou fo ftill; but ne'er defpifo

'* Thofe gifts thou canft not Ihare :
'•* But keep this maxim in thy heart,

" ^he Useful h the Fair."

XIV.

She faid — abafh'd the Jasmine heard,

And hung her drooping head;
She faw, Ttjat Nature's '■j:orh ^J:ere goec?^

And all her Boaftinp; fled.

FABLE

FABLES OF FLOWERS. i6i

FABLE XXVIII.

The CARNATION and SOU-
THERN WO OD-

t

Rl C II in a thoufand beauteous dyer,
The fwegt Carnation rtoodj
While with a proud difdainful eye
The Southernwood ihe view*d,

IL

" Great is thy Pride," the flowV exclaimed,

*' To place thee near my fide;
** For ev'n to grow in this retreat,

" Argues thy matchlefs pride*

IIL

*' Say, what art thou, thyfelf no flow'r,

" That dar'il intrude thee here ;
** 'Midll: plants fit for a prince's bowV,

" FlowVs fit for kings to wear?

« Whatever

2^2 FABLES OF F L O W E R S».

IV.

^* Whatever I ran," the Plant reply'dj

" My poll I well maintain ;
" And chearful lend my needkil aid^

" Where thine, alas ! were vain.

**■ Say, could thy iio'-,Vs of brightdl dye

** InfcHions force withdand ?
** Ah ! what could all thy beauties da».

** If plagues laid waile the land?

vr.

t' Mean as, I am, the talk is mine,
" To purge th' unwholefome air;,.

«* To clear the brain, the blood refine,
" And feat Hygeia^ there.

vir.

*< Nay farther flill;r~thyfelf fiialt own
*« How oft' I'm join'd with thee ;

«' And thy bright blolfoms brighter bloom,.
^' Becaufe they're plac'd by me.
« The Goddefs of Health.

At^

FABLES OF FLOWERS. 163;

VIII.
** Are not the various tlnts^ which deck

'' This fcene, the Florifl*s i^ride ?
** Me then, imperious ! venerate

<* For powVs to thee deny'd.—

IX.

<* Say, if each warbler of the grove
*' Should chufe the felf-fame flrain ;

*' Would the tir*d ear the concert pleafe^
*' Or wllh 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-plailig art,

XI.

" Contented then in diifrent fpheres

*' Unenvying let us move :
" For this mud Hill moll grateful be

** To THOSE who rule above.

04

FABLES OF FLOWERS.

xir.

'• Me let dy fweetefi: fragrance grace,
" Ev'n trom the early May ;

" And tbee will / in gardens fair
*« With fov'reign balm repays

XIU.
" For, thus united while we fland,

" We need to afk no more;
" While mutually we take and give,

" We doivble all our J^^reJ*

XIV.
Prudent Ihe faid ;— her rival, pleas'd,

Adopts the fmelling green ;
And one for V/'e, and one for Show,

Together now are feen*

XV.

Learn hence, That various talents gh^tt

Mca?i 'varicujly to blcfs :
jinci thus on mutual wants kind Hcm,^n

Builds mutual Happincfs,

FABLE

J^ajfjo^iK^

CABLES OF FLOWERS. 16^-

FABLE XXIX.
The ROSEMARY and FIELD-FLOWER.

T.

y TP ON the famM Htpanis' banks,
^^ By chance, In days of yore,
A tuft of Rofemary there grew.
Which fcented all the (hore,

n.

And near at hand a Field-flow'r rear

Its variegated head;
And view'd full many a fpacious track,

With dreary deferts Ipread.

III.

But where the river roll'd its flream,

Unnumber'd infects fwarm'd;
Which rofe in myriads into life,

By Phoebus* infiuence vvarm'd^

to On the banks of tlie river Hypanis, there Is a fort of
jnfeft, whofe life is faid only to extend from the rifing to the
fetting of the fun.

Th«

^66 FABLES O F F L O W E R S*

IV.

The fame revolving day that faW

Their fcene of life begun,
Beheld them link to duft again.

With the declining fun.

V.

And one of thefe, at noontide hour,

(The hardiefl of his race)
Urg'd to the Field-flow'r bright and gay

His quick and eager pace,

VI.

But when no fragrant fcent he found
In that fame flow'r fo bright;

He to tlic fweeter Rofemary
Immediate urg'd his flight.

VII*

The lajiing aromatic plant,
His fpeed with wonder view'd ;

Advis'd him other flow'rs to feek,
Nor on her fpot intrude.

And

TABLES OF FLOWERS* 167

VIIL

"** And how can I for tJm ((he fa Id)

" My happier pow'rs difplay,
** Or with my lalling flow'r fapport

« The infed of a day ?

IX.

*' Sure Nature form'd thy race in fpart>

*' Continual to deftroy ;
** Nor ever meant thy race to tafte

^* One pure, fubilantial joy/*

X.

*« Not fo/' the wifer Infea cry'd,

" My high defcent I claim
*' From Phoebus' felf^you cannot more,

** Nor wiih a higher name.

XL

•* What if to n-^e a ihorter dtite

" By Nature's law is giv'n ;
*' Each moment that I live, ^ ^^cVj

\\ Is all I alk of Heav'n.

«* Beneath

i68 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

xn.

*' Beneath the Mufhroom's fpaclous (hadr,

" Or in the mofly bow'r,
*' Or iHll at noon as fwvj recHn'd,

*' Beneath feme fragrant flowV.

XIIL

" Know, that as much of life I trace

" In one revolving fun;
** As yonder herds, whofe deflin'd courfc

" Full many an age has run.

XIV.

«' For equal are great Nature's gifts,

" And but an idle dream;
** The boaft of time, which glides away

" Swift as the pafTmg ilream.

XV.
" Well to employ the prefent hour,

" Sweet plant, be ever thine ;
" Life's little day, ^\}hen once flaps' dy

" Shall Jem as jJjort as mine."

FABLE

FABLES OF FLOWERS. i6g

FABLE XXX^
The JUDGEMENT of FLQWERS.

FA R from the bufy haunts of men.
Far from the glaring eye of clay ;
Still Fancy paints, with Nature*s pen.
Such tints as never can decay,

II.

Hafl thou not feen, at ev*tiing hour,
When Phoebus funk beneath the main,

Reclin'd in fome fequefter'd bow*r.
The village maid, or fliepherd fwain?

III.

Haft thou not markM them cull with care
Some favoured flowVet from the reft,

To deck the breaft, or bind the hair.
Of thofe they priz'd and lov'd the bcft?

I And

I70 FABLES OF FLOWERS.

IV.

And flill expre^ive of the mind
The emblematic gift was found ;

Whether to mournful thought inciin'd,
Or with triumphant gladncfs crown'd. —

Near Avon's banks, a cultur'd fpot,

With many a tuft of fiow'rs adorn'd,
Was once an aged fhepherd's lot,

Who fcenes of greater fplendor fcorn'd.

VL

Three beauteous daughters blefs'd his bed,

Who made the little plat their care ;
And ev'ry fweet by Flora fpread

Attentive flill they planted there.

vn.

Once, when flill ev'ning veil'd the fky,

The fire walkM forth, and fought the bowV ;

And bade the lovely maids draw nigh,
i\nd each feledl feme f.ivour'd flov/r.

The

F A B E E S OF FLOWERS. 171

VIII.

'ilie fiiH, with radiant fplencior charm'd,

A variegated Tulip chofe ;
The next, with love of beauty charm'd,

I'lefeiT'd the rweetiy-biunilng Rcfe.

IX.

The third, '>vLo markM, with depth of thouglit.
How thofe bright Flow'rs mud droop away,

All Ev'niiig rrimrofe only brought,
Which opens with the clofing day,.

X.

The fage a while in filence view'd

The various choice of flowVs difpIayM ;
And then (with, wifdoin's gift cndu d)
Addrefs'd each beauteous lift'ning maid !

*
XI.

" Who chofe the Tulip's fplendid dyes,

*' Shall own, too late, v/hen that decays,
* That, vainly proud, not greatly wife,
" She only caught a fhort-liv'd blaze.

I 2 " The

,72 FABLES OF FLOWERS,

XIL

" The Rcfe, though beauteous leaves and fweet
*' Its glorious vernal pride adorn:

* Let her who chofe beware to meet
** The biting fharpnefs of its thorn.

xriT.

«* Bin Jhe, v»ho to fair day-light's train
'' The Ev'nlng flowV more juft prefen'dj

*' Chofe real worth, nor chofe in vain
** The one great objcd of regard.

XIV,
" Ambitious t^ouf the Tulip race

*' In all lite's v-ary'd courfe beware ;
*< Ca Light vv'iih fvveet Pleafure's rofy giace,

*' Do thou its fnarper thorns beware,

XY.

« fhou prudent Hill to Virtue's lore>
" Attend, and mark her counfels fage !

»* She like thj Jlo-'Jr has fweets in ftoj'e,
« To foothe the ev'ning of thine age^"

He

CABLES OF FLOWERS. 173

XVI.

He ccasM — attend the moral flrain.

The Mufe enlightened pours;
Nor let her pencil trace in vain

The Judgement of the Flow*rs,

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-Printed for George Riley, Bookfeller, May Fair;
and C. Etrerington, at York.

\* The Third and Fourth Volumes are in the
Prels, and will be .publilhed in a few days.

By ihifimr Author,

^unrliomcly printed in Quarto, Price 2s. 6d. ^Wtli
Allegorical Dellgns, engraved m the rnoft beau-
tiful and piaurcftiuc Style by Mr. White

T II £

1' OUR S E A S O N S.

A POEM.

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New York Botanical Garden Library

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