Chapter I: Preface

When I survey the divine simplicity and blooming attractions, that are displayed amongst the variegated tribes of the vegetable creation, I cease to wonder, that _Queens forego, for a while, the compliments of a nation, or withdraw from the glitter of a_ COURT, _to be attended with the more splendid_ EQUIPAGE _of a_ BED _of_ FLOWERS; where nothing seems wanting but the power of _speech_, to make them become the most pleasing Monitors.

How far the Author of the following Fables, written for the amusement of an exalted Personage, may have succeeded, in descriptive fancy, as a poet: it is hoped, that, the moral and refined admonitions which may be found to breathe, from the fragrant bosom of a silver-robed Lily, or a blooming Jonquil, will throw a veil over any poetical inaccuracies; _for who can paint like Nature?_

As to the novelty of the plan, I cannot but hold myself, in a great measure, indebted to an ingenious Lady[1], well known in the literary world. And can only say, that I have found both health and recreation in the completion of it; by sharing some of the sweetest hours of contemplation, among the lovely subjects of the following pages.

THE AUTHOR.

[1] The author of The Vizlis: or Enchanted Labyrinth; an Oriental Tale, 3 Vols.—Wherein describes with great taste and fancy, the different passions that are subject to misguide the warm and expanded imagination, of Youth by the Flowers they make choice of in the Labyrinth.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Page.

ZEPHYRUS and FLORA 1

FABLE I.
The Hollyhock and Lily of the Vale 24

II.
The Aloe in Blossom 31

III.
The Rose and Hornet 37

IV.
The Sensitive Plant 42

V.
The Hawthorn and the Primrose 47

VI.
The White Rose and the Red 53

VII.
The Crocus 59

VIII.
The Anemone and the Passion Flower 64

IX.
The Lily and Narcissus 69

X.
The Ivy and Sweet Briar 73

XI.
The Violet Transplanted 77

XII.
The Tulip and the Amaranth 81

XIII.
The Honey Succkle and Youth 87

XIV.
Belinda and the Blue-Bell 92

XV.
The Larkspur and the Myrtle 97

XVI.
The Poppy and the Sun-Flower 102

XVII.
The Iris and the Rose 109

XVIII.
The Nasturtium and the Wall Flower 113

XIX.
The Traveller and Lapland Rose 119

XX.
The Deadly Night Shade 124

XXI.
The Crown Imperial and Hearts Ease 129

XXII.
The Water Lily 133

XXIII.
The Funeral Flowers and the Lover 137

XXIV.
The Field and Garden Daisy 142

XXV.
The Pinks and Arbutus 147

XXVI.
The Cockscomb and Sweet William 153

XXVII.
The Jasmine and Hemlock 157

XXVIII.
The Carnation and Southernwood 161

XXIX.
The Rosemary and Field Flower 165

XXX.
The Judgment of the Flowers 169

ZEPHYRUS AND FLORA: A VISION.

I.

As late I wander’d o’er the flow’ry plain,
Where Cambrian Cluyd pours his silver tide,
Amidst the pleasures of fair Plenty’s reign,
And blushing flow’rs and fruits on ev’ry side:

II.

Soft sigh’d the west winds, murm’ring o’er the dale,
Whose ev’ry charm rose fresher from the breeze;
The lofty hills more boldly kiss’d the gale,
Which skimm’d their tops, and shook the wavy trees.

III.

The sun descending, shot his golden beams
Askance, with many a cloud his ev’ning throne
Adorn’d; while mountains, woods, and lucent streams,
With the last blushes of his radiance shone.

IV.

Far stretching hence, Cambria’s rough heights I view,
Where Liberty long since forlorn retir’d,
Left fairer climes, and skies of brighter hue,
And, but at last, triumphantly expir’d:

V.

And wide around me wound the fertile vale[2],
Fit theme and subject of the poet’s song;
Whose num’rous beauties load the passing gale,
Whose breath repeats them, as it glides along.

[2] The Vale of Cluyd.

VI.

Bright Phœbus sunk, dim twilight now succeeds,
Still gleaming dubious with uncertain ray,
While tremblingly among the vocal reeds
The ev’ning breezes still more faintly play.

VII.

Amid this beauteous, soft, and flow’ry scene,
On a high bank, all listless, I reclin’d;
Whose shelving sides were crown’d with lively green,
By tufted trees and bord’ring flow’rs confin’d.

VIII.

Here, while the landscape faded on my sight,
Wild Fancy’s eye still brighter scenes supply’d;
I view’d not the last track of parting light,
Nor mark’d the fanning breezes as they dy’d.

IX.

At length, Imagination, roving maid,
Though gentle sleep had fetter’d all my pow’rs
In golden chains, my busy soul convey’d
To other landscapes and immortal bow’rs.

X.

Methought I stood amidst a garden fair,
Whose bounds no sight of mortal eye could trace,
Situate mid-way, betwixt earth, seas, and air,
Unmark’d by Time, uncircumscrib’d by Space.

XI.

Not half so sweet was that delightsome dale,
Which to my waking view appear’d so bright;
For _here_ did never-ceasing suns prevail,
With mildest sweetness temp’ring heav’nly light.

XII.

Spring breath’d eternal glories o’er the land:
And gentlest winds, o’er fragrant lawns that blow,
Nurs’d beauteous buds unset by mortal hand,
And op’ning flow’rs that without planting grow.

XIII.

Serene the heav’ns, save where a cloudy shrine,
Big with cœlestial plenty, sail’d on high,
Show’r’d Spring’s own roses from her seat divine,
And drew a purple radiance o’er the sky.

XIV.

Meanwhile, soft music echoing from each grove,
Tun’d to enchanting notes most soft and clear,
That breath’d the soul of harmony and love,
Thrill’d the rapt breast, and charm’d the list’ning ear.

XV.

And still the while, with voices loud and sweet,
The warbling birds in dulcet concert join’d,
The waters murm’ring flow with cadence meet,
“Low answer’d by the gently whisp’ring wind.”

XVI.

These themes of wonder silent I survey’d,
Attentive hanging on each dying sound;
Pleas’d with the glories which I saw display’d,
And scenes of joy and pleasure op’ning round.

XVII.

Yet still methought a certain want appear’d,
Of some to own this spot, so heav’nly fair,
Else were each charming flow’ret vainly rear’d,
“To bloom unnotic’d to the desart air:”

XVIII.

Else, were in vain these soft melodious strains,
Which the whole soul of harmony inspir’d,
Pour’d to the wild woods and the lonely plains,
Though worthiest still by all to be admir’d.

XIX.

Such were creation’s first imperfect hours,
When the gay heav’ns in early beauty shone,
And earth, bedeck’d with beasts, birds, plants, and flow’rs,
Spread all her bosom to the genial sun;

XX.

Unfinish’d still the mighty work appear’d,
Till Man, the lord of all, was bid to rise;
With open brow his face divine who rear’d,
And sought with upright look his native skies.

XXI.

Thus as I paus’d, still louder swell’d the notes,
From ev’ry bush, and brake, and echoing hill;
While choirs cœlestial seem’d to tune their throats,
And, with glad voice the chearful chorus fill.

XXII.

Then, by some magic pow’r swift snatch’d away,
Ev’n to the midst of that delightful land,
I view’d at once all clad in bright array,
A thousand Genii of the gardens stand.