Chapter XX

“_A fleeting joy, a fading bloom,_
“_May charm the ravish’d sight;_
“_That only which is truly good,_
“_Is lasting, as ’tis bright._”

FABLE XIII.

THE HONEYSUCKLE.

I.

At height of noon, a youth reclin’d
Beneath a woodbine bow’r;
Defended by whose thick’ning shade,
He pass’d the sultry hour,

II.

But when mild breezes cool’d the air,
And length’ning shadows rose;
He scann’d with philosophic mind
The place of his repose.

III.

High over-head the twining boughs,
Where thousand blossoms glow,
Of ev’ry beam of light bereave
The cool alcove below.

IV.

“Ah! (said the youth) ungrateful still!
“And dost thou thus repay
“The bounties of that glorious God,
“Who wak’d thee into day?

V.

“While he in his meridian course
“Illumines wide the sky;
“Dost thou, O wretch, resist his pow’r,
“And all his beams defy?

VI.

“Unlike to thee, ingrate, behold
“The Sun-flow’r drinks his light;
“Lives, to his radiance ever true,
“And with him sinks to night.

VII.

“But like some faithless fav’rite you,
“Or some more faithless fair;
“Spurn at the very pow’r that grac’d,
“And made you what you are.

VIII.

“Oh! useful lesson to be learn’d,
“With scanty hand to pour
“Those blessings, which, when once conferr’d,
“Shall ne’er be thought on more!”

IX.

Unmov’d the beauteous Woodbine heard,
Then, nodding from on high,
Shook the green honours of her brow,
As thus she made reply:

X.

“Vain is the hypocritic plea
“That gilds the selfish end;
“And base the poor unfeeling heart
“That ill repays a friend.

XI.

“For _me_, not such my care ill-plac’d;—
“My blessings unconfin’d,
“I give each gentle breathing air,
“And scatter to the wind.

XII.

“What if my leaves exclude that Pow’r
“By whom thou say’st I live;
“Yet He beholds me, while I bloom,
“A grateful tribute give.

XIII.

“My fragrance, nay, that friendly shade,
“Which you ungrateful blame,
“Are off’rings still to PHŒBUS’ self,
“Who nurs’d them with his flame.

XIV.

“He, for the use of base mankind,
“Bade me all these dispense:
“For whom I spread these vernal charms,
“So pleasing to the sense.

XV.

“Ungrateful THOU, thy ill-meant charge
“Take back, so mis-apply’d:
“And fairly reason with thy heart,
“And check thy selfish pride.

XVI.

“Thou, in my shadows late reclin’d,
“Could’st pass the hours at ease;
“_Then_, what is _now_ ingratitude,
“Thy narrow mind could please.

XVII.

“Take back the charge; thy maxim too;
With thee let others use:—
“Keep THOU this moral in thy mind,
“_T’ enjoy, but not abuse_.”

FABLE XIV.

THE BLUE-BELL; or, VENUS’S LOOKING-GLASS.

I.

O’er verdant lawns, and dappled meads,
The young BELINDA stray’d;
On ev’ry tree, on ev’ry flow’r,
Philosophis’d the maid.

II.

The Cowslip, and the Primrose too,
Had oft-times been her theme;
And yellow Crocus’ flaming dyes
Had ting’d her waking dream.

III.

For, roving o’er the pathless grass,
Or through the woodland wild;
She oft with Contemplation walk’d
_Bright Fancy’s sweetest child_.

IV.

Absorb’d and lost in Nature’s maze,
Then rapt from earth she stood;
And, pleas’d, in all his various works,
The great Creator view’d.

V.

’Twas smiling May; the op’ning year
With vernal grace was crown’d;
And ev’ry plant, and ev’ry flow’r,
Diffus’d fresh fragrance round.

VI.

From cultur’d gardens far remote
The beauteous charmer rov’d;
And listen’d to the birds wild notes,
And rang’d those meads she lov’d.

VII.

To court the touch of her fair hand,
Each field-flow’r eager press’d;
To bask beneath her funny eyes,
And kiss her snowy breast.

VIII.

Amongst the crowd, a flow’r she ’spy’d,
Long since well known to fame;
Of _Venus’ Looking-glass_ whose pride
Assum’d the pompous name.

IX.

“And how! she cry’d, can’st thou display,
“To captivate the sight,
“More than the stream, which yonder rolls
“Its glassy mirrour bright?”

X.

She sought in vain; a bell-shap’d flow’r,
With Vi’let blossoms crown’d:
Diffus’d itself with mingled corn,
And purpled o’er the ground.

XI.

She pluck’d, but strait away she cast
The vain pretender far;
Which angry ruffled all its flow’rs,
In vegetable war:

XII.

“What had bright VENUS’ mirrour done,
“Thus to be cast aside?
“Or how (she said) could VENUS’ Nymph
“The Goddess’ gift deride?”

XIII.

“Peace! angry thing! BELINDA said;
“Not VENUS I despise;
“But _you_, who by your own false glass
“Would cheat deluded eyes.

XIV.

“What boots it thus your high descent,
“As Goddess-born, to claim;
“If not one smallest trace appear
“Of your exalted name?

XV.

“Go! in yon’ _real_ mirrour view
“The form which you possess;
“Then speak but what you _really are_;
“And be your boasting less.

XVI.

“A Blue-bell of the finest dye,
“You well may be allow’d;
“But _Venus’ Looking-glass_ in vain
“Would cheat a giddy crowd.”

XVII.

The haughty flow’r corrected stood.—
Attend, ye British fair:
_Let not_ appearances _prevail_;
_Be_ real worth _your care_.

XVIII.

_And know, whoe’er by vain pretence_
_Shall others seek to blind;_
_Must stand abash’d, when brought before_
_The_ MIRROUR OF THE MIND.

FABLE XV.

The LARKSPUR and the MYRTLE.

I.

Fav’rite of MARS, amidst the tribes
That on bright FLORA wait,
And swell the glories of her reign
With more than regal state;

II.

The Larkspur, plant of ancient stock,
Advanc’d his ensign high;
And claim’d th’ immortal wreath of fame,
Due to a Deity.

III.

Like some bold warrior’s is his mien;
Helmet and spurs he wears;
And on his coat of vary’d dyes
Each warlike blazon bears.

IV.

Proud of his form, and of the [17]Pow’r
That from his contact sprung;
Exalted above all his peers,
Thus Pride inspir’d his tongue:

V.

“Ye painted, puling race, avaunt!
“To greater merit yield;
“Forego the honours of the day,
“When I dispute the field.

VI.

“Far hence your tinsel trappings bear
“To some luxuriant bed,
“Where, nurs’d by ZEPHYR’S wanton gales,
“Their idle bloom may spread!

VII.

“In ME behold the warrior’s grace,
“And monarch’s pow’r display’d;
“In me, to Heav’n itself ally’d,
“In martial pomp array’d.

[17] Juno is said to have conceived Mars by only touching the flower called Larkspur.

VIII.

“Emblem of thund’ring MARS I rise,
“My boast and offspring too;
“Then own the progeny divine,
“And pay the tribute due.”

IX.

The Myrtle heard;—fair VENUS’ care,
With peaceful honours crown’d;
The glory of the genial hour,
By lovers still renown’d.

X.

“And how! said she, redoubted knight,
“Would’st thou with US engage?
“Did ever MARS, of glory vain,
“Rough wars with VENUS wage?

XI.

“_Her_ flow’r I am; _her_ name I boast,
“Who can mankind subdue;
“And by a gentler method far
“Than any known to you.

XII.

“Say, boaster, what are realms destroy’d
“By many a foughten field;
“When desp’rate battles, bravely won,
“A bloody harvest yield?

XIII.

“Can these atone the dreadful ills
“That wasteful wars supply;
“When from the horrid din of arms
“The Loves and Graces fly?

XIV.

“Remember, when the blue-ey’d Maid
“With NEPTUNE did contend:
“Say, who the greatest gift produc’d;
“And let our contest end.

XV.

“The Palm to PALLAS was decreed,
“Who nam’d fair ATHENS; there
“The warlike steed, great NEPTUNE’S boast,
“Yields to the Olive fair.

XVI.

“Then thou, proud Knight, exult no more,
“Abase thy haughty crest;
“Give honour due to meek-ey’d Peace,
“And Love, her genial guest.”

XVII.

_Let then great_ MARS _his Pow’r resign_
_To brighter_ VENUS’ _fame;_
_And quit the glories of the field,_
_When_ LOVE _disputes the claim_.

FABLE XVI.

The POPPY and the SUN-FLOWER.

I.

Transplanted from the neighb’ring mead,
Which long her presence grac’d;
The crimson POPPY rear’d her head,
In the rich garden plac’d.

II.

Thence, fann’d by many a gentle gale,
Full oft her scent is borne;
Both when the ev’ning shades prevail,
And at the rise of morn.

III.

At noon, when ev’n without _her_ aid
The flow’rs all droop’d around;
CLYTIE, bright PHŒBUS’ love-sick maid,
With all _his_ glories crown’d,

IV.

Still turning to his orb her face,
Survey’d th’ intruding guest;
And, foe to ev’ry sleepy pow’r,
The stranger thus address’d;

V.

“Long have we seen each field-flow’r bloom
“Our cultur’d gardens shame:
“Which, hither brought, triumphant rise,
“And share our nobler fame:

VI.

“Thou, drowsy POPPY, too, at last,
“Our rival dost appear,
“Replete with drugs, whose pois’nous strength
“Corrupts the ambient air.

VII.

“But think not here, insulting weed!
“(Fair CERES’ hate and bane)
“Thy drowsy magic shall prevail,
“To blot our brighter reign.

VIII.

“Go, seek thy fields; with noxious weeds
“Divide detested sway:
“Or, where thy slumbers nought disturb,
“Shun the glad face of day.

IX.

“Whilst I, to PHŒBUS ever true,
“Rejoicing in his light;
“To the great God his tribute pay,
“And check the pow’rs of Night.”

X.

She spoke;—The nodding POPPY then,
Serene, made this reply:
“Proud flow’r, I envy not thy state,
“Nor coat of richest dye.

XI.

“What boast’st thou of his genial pow’r,
“Who slighted all thy charms;
“And, in thy beauty’s brightest noon,
“Fled to another’s arms?

XII.

“How didst thou mourn, and how revenge?
“LEUCOTHOE[18] speaks thy crime;
“Whose odours still to Heav’n ascend,
“And shall to latest time.

[18] Apollo having forsaken Clytie for this Nymph; the former, in return, informed Leucothoe’s father of his daughter’s amour with Phœbus. He thereupon buried Leucothoe alive; but Phœbus changed her into a Frankincense Tree; and after this, Clytie being discarded by the God, who was beyond measure offended with her, she pined away, and was changed into a Sun-Flower.

XIII.

“Not _Love_, but _Pity_, mov’d high Heav’n
“To make thee what thou art;
“And place amidst the blooming flow’rs
“A Nymph with broken heart.

XIV.

“Cease then to vaunt thy heav’nly love,
“Nor me so much despise;
“Full plain th’ advantages appear,
“Which from my pow’r arise.

XV.

“Me CERES _hates not_; but my seed
“Great Nature near her sows;
“Where, far unlike a noxious weed,
“The beauteous flow’ret blows.

XVI.

“Sleep, gentle God, the ease of grief,
“To weary man I bring;
“From care and pain the sweetest balm,
“Of vig’rous health the spring.

XVII.

“I, to the wretched friendly still,
“The mourning captives aid;
“My succour to the poor extend,
“And ease the love-sick maid.

XVIII.

“Then what Heav’n order’d for the best,
“Do thou no longer blame:
“Let _me_ old MORPHEUS’ honours share,
“Joy _thou_ in PHŒBUS’ flame.

XIX.

“More need I add?—Search Earth around,
“And thou shalt truly say,
“_More Virtues in Life’s shade will bloom,_
“_Than in her blaze of day_.”

FABLE XVII.

The IRIS, or FLOWER de LUCE, and the ROSE.

I.

Yes, there are some who, proudly vain
Still boast of others’ due;
With empty titles cheat the crowd,
And set false shows to view.

II.

Such ever ancient worth disgrace,
Make real titles scorn’d;
While by bright Honour’s genuine race
Those titles are adorn’d.

III.

The fairest of sweet FLORA’S tribe
Boast not the proudest name;
Nor men, with gaudiest titles deck’d,
Are truest sons of Fame.

IV.

What art thou, bold and spreading flow’r,
In fields and gardens known;
That still assum’st a Monarch’s grace,
And claim’st a Pageant throne?

V.

“Genius of nations, guardian pow’rs,
“That still on Monarchs wait!
“You your own plant shall still protect,
“An emblem of your state.

VI.

“And, Goddess of the painted Bow!
“Still to thy flow’r prove true;
“Ally’d to thee, I justly claim
“Thy name and colours too[19].

[19] Iris being the name given to the Rainbow.

VII.

“Which then of all the painted train
“That swell this garden’s pride,
“Shall with my honour’d name compare,
“Or sway with me divide?”

VIII.

This mark’d the ROSE, a modest flow’r,
With maiden blushes bright;
Who, vex’d to hear the boaster’s vaunt,
Asserts her native right.

IX.

“What are thy titles vain, she said,
“That claim superior sway?
“Or why should all fair FLORA’S tribes
“A rule like thine obey?

X.

“False is thy boast; thy title vain
“Not Gallia’s self will own;
“Whose _real_ LILIES droop and fade,
“Where-e’er my flow’rs are known.

XI.

“Why IRIS?—Why by Heav’n’s own bow
“Would’st thou thus climb to fame?
“Or cannot many a vary’d flow’r
“Exert a fairer claim?

XII.

“Plain FLAG thou art;—let that suffice;
“With LILIES I contend;
“But flow’rs like thine I still regard,
“Alike as foe or friend.”

XIII.

The vain pretender heard, abash’d,
And hung her drooping head;
While to the genial fun her leaves
The ROSE expanding spread.

XIV.

Her odour strait proclaim’d her queen
Of all the smiling flow’rs;
While the Bee sought the fragrant breast,
And left his honey’d bow’rs.

XV.

Thus to the ROSE the meed was giv’n;
FLORA confirm’d her reign;
_And worth, like her’s, approv’d by Heav’n,_
_Shall Heav’n itself maintain_.

FABLE XVIII.

The NASTURTIUM and the WALL FLOWER.

I.

Against a funny fence below
The fair NASTURTIUM plac’d,
Beheld how well its highest tops
The fragrant WALL-FLOW’R grac’d.

II.

Without some useful kind support
Unable to survive;
Ill could she bear another flow’r
By the same means should thrive.

III.

At length, one sultry summer’s noon,
When radiant PHŒBUS shone
On both alike with chearing ray,
She envious thus begun:

IV.

“Had I the WALL-FLOW’R’S fragrant scent,
“Would I alone thus bloom;
“On yonder peak obscurely dwell,
“And waste my rich perfume!

V.

“For shame, yield to inferior flow’rs
“That strange and uncouth place;
“Nor, like some noxious worthless weed,
“Nurse there thy beauteous race.

VI.

“Besides, _I_ claim the humbler boon,
“Against this fence to blow;
“While thee the more indulgent Heav’n
“May safely place below.”

VII.

She spoke;—the WALL-FLOW’R thus reply’d,
“Ambition is not mine;
“My native place is still my joy:
“Do thou delight in thine.

VIII.

“Full well I know that perils still
“On frequent change attend:
“And they oft spoil their present state,
“Who hasty strive to mend.

IX.

“Nor less can I _thy_ drift observe,
“Who, envious of my lot,
“Would’st me of ev’ry help bereave,
“Drawn from my native spot.

X.

“Too selfish flow’r, who vainly this
“Would’st me of life deprive;
“And by my downfall think’st to rise,
“And on my ruin thrive.

XI.

“Know, that th’ all-chearing lamp of day
“On both alike bestows
“His sov’reign gifts; for All his light
“Without distinction glows.

XII.

“Is not that source of genial fire
“Sufficient _both_ to warm,
“That thou should’st thus unkindly seek
“Thy quiet neighbour’s harm?

XIII.

“And what if I consenting give,
“Ambitious! thy desire?
“Were I now low in ashes laid,
“Say, could’st thou climb the higher?

XIV.

“For shame, th’ ungen’rous wish forego,
“Rejoice in others’ joy;
“And lengthen’d scenes of double bliss
“Shall all thy hours employ.

XV.

“For know, where Envy’s pow’r prevails,
“Peace, Love, and Joy, retire:
“Her vot’ries feel eternal pains,
“And burn with ceaseless fire.”

XVI.

_Felicity with Concord dwells;_
_And ev’ry joy of peace_
_Heav’n’s sacred hand still bounteous gives,_
_And blesses the increase._

FABLE XIX.

THE LAPLAND ROSE.

I.

A wand’ring youth, by Fortune led
To bleakest northern shores,
Beyond the track of Russian wilds,
Where Lapland’s tempest roars;

II.

Who twice the Arctic circle pass’d,
And view’d bright HECLA’S[20] flame;
At length, through many a waste of snow,
To fair NIEMI[21] came.

[20] A Volcano in the North, whose sides are covered with snow.

[21] The Mountains of NIEMI are in the neighbourhood of a lake of the same name, which is said by the inhabitants to be frequented by the immortal Genii.

III.

And thence where TENGLIO[22] rolls his stream,
Survey’d the prospect round;
Beheld its banks with verdure deck’d,
And blushing roses crown’d.

[22] This River is bordered with Roses of as fine a bloom as those which grow in our gardens.

IV.

Stuck with the scene, a while he paus’d,
As lost in sweet delight;
And ey’d the fairest of the train
In native beauty bright.

V.

Yet, as he view’d the stranger flow’r,
He deeply musing cries,
“How strange that beauties such as thine
“’Midst climes like these should rise!

VI.

“Thee no bright youth nor gentle fair
“Alas! shall e’er caress;
“Nor splendid southern suns shall warm,
“Nor genial gales shall bless!”

VII.

On hollow winds, o’er distant plains,
The murm’ring accents flew;
NIEMI’S mountains caught the sound,
Which from the lake his shadows drew.

VIII.

And now before the youth confess’d
The Genius of the clime
Appear’d; who thus instructive spoke,
In awful strains sublime;

IX.

“Fond youth, who view’st that beauteous flow’r,
“So luckless in thy fight!
“Forbear to mourn her lonely state,
“Whom these rude climes delight.

X.

“Unrival’d here she sweetly blooms,
“And scents the ambient air;
“Nor deems her brightest beauties lost,
“While foster’d by _my_ care.

XI.

“Nor envies she the gaudy tribe
“Beneath the southern skies,
“That bloom in some luxurious bow’rs,
“Where mingled sweets arise.

XII.

“The child of bounteous Nature! here
“She bids her bloom dispense
“Fresh sweets, the trav’ler’s soul to chear,
“And glad his weary’d sense.

XIII.

“Her no bright youth nor gaudy fair
“Shall COURT _but to_ DESTROY;
“But Lapland’s simple swains shall view,
“With _unaffected joy_;

XIV.

“And, oft’ as yon’ returning Sun
“Illumes our northern sphere,
“Well pleas’d shall trace these flow’ry banks,
“And pay their homage here.

XV.

“Let _others_ seek where spacious meads,
“Or painted gardens glow;
“Despise _my_ solitary flow’rs,
“And live the slaves of show.

XVI.

“But know, high Heav’n in desart wastes
“Can bid rich Spring to bloom;
“And waken Nature into life,
“From Winter’s dreary tomb.

XVII.

“The gracious Pow’r who rules on high,
“Bids ALL his blessings share;
“And ev’ry creature of his hand
“Is govern’d by his care.

XVIII.

“Convinc’d that Providence will thus
“For ALL alike provide;
“_Learn to restrain Affliction’s tears,_
“_And check the boast of Pride_.”

FABLE XX.

The DEADLY NIGHTSHADE[23].

I.

“Detested weed, enrag’d, I said,
“That spread’st thy poison’d train
“In this fair land, midst blooming flow’rs,
“Which grace the happy plain!

II.

“Thy baleful root most surely springs
“From deep Tartarean shade;
“By envious Dæmons nurs’d below,
“In Stygian gloom array’d.

[23] The juice of this weed was generally supposed to be used in Enchantments—There are however several sorts of it, all of which are not esteemed deadly; but only this mentioned here, the juice of whose berries so intoxicated the army of Sweno the Danish King, being mixed in their liquor, that they became an easy prey to the Scotch army, which surprised and cut most of them to pieces.

III.

“Thee CIRCE, and MEDÆA too,
“In black enchantment us’d;
“With baneful plants most fitly mix’d,
“In hellish steams suffus’d.

IV.

“Ah! why does Parent NATURE form,
“Such works, _her_ works to spoil;
“And by _her own hand_ teach mankind,
“Infernal arts and guile?

V.

“Say, fell Enchantress of the plain,
“The foe of human-kind?
“Say for what crimes man’s hapless race
“From thee such evils find!

VI.

“Oh! quit the woods, the plains, the fields,
“Where health and plenty bloom:
“Retire to rocks and desart-wilds,
“Or shade the Murd’rer’s tomb.

VII.

“Or rather haste to PLUTO’S realm;
“_There_ hide thy hated head,
“And flourish still unrival’d there;
“Where Styx’ nine streams are spread.

VIII.

“But _here_ may ev’ry healing flow’r
“In prime of beauty bloom:
“To sick’ning Man restoring health,
“And shedding rich perfume!”

IX.

I ceas’d—The Flow’r indignant heard;
And all its leaves display’d
A deep’ning gloom, which flung around
_A double_ NIGHT OF SHADE.

X.

“Insulting Man!” she trembling cry’d,
“Of creatures most unjust;
“Still taxing Nature with those faults,
“Sprung from _his_ evil lust.

XI.

“The poison’d Snake, the noxious Weed,
“Earth’s venom’d juices drain;
“And, more than all yon’ fragrant flow’rs,
“Enrich with health the plain.

XII.

“Nay of _my race_ grows many a plant,
“Which, of rich gifts possest,
“The sage Physician culls with care,
“To ease the Patient’s breast.

XIII.

“Let Man his own wild passions tame,
“And hush them into Peace;
“MEDÆA’S wand, and CIRCE’S cup,
“Were innocent to _these_.

XIV.

“For ME, great Nature’s high behest;
“Contented I fulfil;
“Nor dream that aught by _her_ ordain’d,
“Can ever end in _ill_.

XV.

“_Go thou, fond youth, and_ VIRTUE’S _charge_
“_With equal care obey:_
“_Then ev’ry Weed shall prove a Flow’r,_
“_To strew thy destin’d way._”

FABLE XXI.

The CROWN IMPERIAL and HEART’S-EASE.

I.

Lo! where from Persia’s warmer clime,
And ancient Bactria’s land;
With interwoven purple wrought,
The ensign of command,

II.

The CROWN IMPERIAL rears aloft
His rich and gorgeous head,
And, pointing to the distant sky,
Bids all his glories spread.

III.

Beneath, in humbler station plac’d,
The fair VIOLA grew,
Which the lov’d name of _Heart’s-Ease_ bears,
Whose pow’r can Care subdue.

IV.

The purple monarch swell’d with ire,
Indignant to behold
The flow’ret blooming near his side,
And thus his anger told;

V.

“Rash flow’r, seest thou my aweful state,
“That speaks the garden’s king?
“See’st thou th’ Imperial Crown that decks,
“And gems that round me spring.

VI.

“I from the East my lineage draw,
“Where chief of flow’rs I rise;
“And amidst thousands raise my fame,
“Ev’n to the starry skies.

VII.

“Go then, base daughter of the earth!
“Near some vile cottage grow;
“Nor give thy paltry race to rise
“Where my bright blossoms blow!”

VIII.

The sweet VIOLA inly mourn’d
The boaster’s ill-plac’d pride;
And, while this answer she return’d,
The flow’r with pity ey’d:

IX.

“Great is the boast, I own, she said,
“Of pomp and scepter’d pow’r;
“But _greater_ are the blessings found
“In life’s serener hour.

X.

“_Thee_ purple honours still adorn,
“Which teach thy leaves to shine;
“But to breathe fragrance on the day,
“Proud plant! was never _thine_.

XI.

“That _I_ am stranger to thy race,
“The cause is plain to tell;
“For when did _Heart’s-Ease_ ever deign
“With _crowned heads_ to dwell?

XII.

“ME still in life’s more humble vale
“Most certain will you find;
“There most _my_ simple sweets are known,
“Where Fortune proves least kind.

XIII.

“Go learn, _That neither wealth nor pomp_
“_True blessings can bestow_;
“_On sweet_ CONTENT _alone await_
“_All joy and bliss below_.”

FABLE XXII.

THE WATER LILY.

I.

Within a crystal riv’let bright,
Whose sides, with verdure crown’d,
From shelving banks reflected wide
The landscape bord’ring round,

II.

A WATER LILY peaceful rear’d
Her lovely, graceful head;
And on the gently-heaving stream
Her beauteous flow’rs were spread.

III.

Thence she beheld the banks with flow’rs
Of various kinds array’d;
And nodding trees, that far dispers’d
Their over-hanging shade;

IV.

For there the lofty Poplar grew,
Still mingling white with green;
And there the rustling Aspin too
With trembling leaves was seen.

V.

The Willow, nodding o’er the brook,
Drinks deep the stream below;
Cowslip and Primrose near at hand,
And purple Iris glow.

VI.

The LILY saw, and to the lake
Thus soft-complaining cry’d,
While gentle ZEPHYRS bore the sound,
Which spread from side to side:

VII.

“Ah hapless lot! while _others_ bloom
“On yonder happy shore,
“Amongst their kindred tribes—_my_ fate
“Here lonely I deplore.

VIII.

“Condemn’d amid this watry waste
“For ever to remain;
“Nor taste the joys which _others_ know
“On yonder flow’ry plain.”

IX.

The GODDESS OF THE WATER heard,
And Anger mov’d her heart;
“How dar’st thou thus affront (she said)
“The Pow’r by which thou ART?

X.

“Those other trees and flow’rs thou see’st,
“ALL sprang from Mother Earth:
“And grateful tribute ALL return
“To Her who gave them birth.

XI.

“While _thou_, alas! should _I_ withdraw
“The least of this my store;
“Shalt call on _other_ Pow’rs in vain,
“And sink, to rise no more.

XII.

“Beauteous thou art, nor meanly priz’d:
“Then lay no blame on me;
“Nor seek what, though it _others_ bless,
“Must surely ruin _thee_.

XIII.

“But still revere this facted truth,
“_Whatever may betide_;
“_What Heav’n decrees is always_ BEST,
“_And all is_ BAD _beside_.”

FABLE XXIII.

The FUNERAL FLOWERS.

I.

As, lonely walking o’er the plain,
With solemn step and slow,
A hapless swain, at midnight hour,
Went forth to vent his woe;

II.

His hand the sweetest flow’rets fill’d
That glow’d with beauty’s bloom;
Now destin’d with their richest tints
T’ adorn his LAURA’S tomb.

III.

Lo! there each mournful flow’r he strew’d,
Which vernal FLORA bears;
With frequent sighs dispers’d them round,
And water’d them with tears.

IV.

There was the VI’LET’S purple hue,
And HYACINTHUS seen;
The leaves with monarch’s names inscrib’d,
And plaintive notes between.

V.

Sweet ROSEMARY, and many a plant
In Eastern gardens known;
And Lover’s MYRTLE, which the Queen
Of Beauty deigns to own.

VI.

A Sage, who wander’d there alone
In the dank dews of night,
To gather plants of mystic pow’r,
Beneath the moon’s pale light,

VII.

With scornful smile, and eye askance,
The hapless youth survey’d;
Who paid the last sad tribute there
To the departed maid.

VIII.

“And what! (said he) shall those sweet flow’rs,
“Which sinking life can save,
“And plants of aromatic scent,
“Adorn a _dreary grave_?

IX.

“For shame, fond youth! learn Nature’s gifts
“With better skill to prize.
“Attend her precepts; read them here:
“Be _frugal_, and be _wise_.”

X.

He ceas’d; the sighing youth reply’d,
“To LAURA’S shade I give,
“Unblam’d, each emblematic flow’r,
“Which _she_ first taught to live.

XI.

“And frequent here fair FLORA’S train
“_Uncull’d by_ ME shall bloom;
“And, nurs’d by bright AURORA’S tears,
“Diffuse their rich perfume.

XII.

“Then urge me not, with narrow mind,
“To wrong the dust below;
“But rather THOU expand thy heart,
“And gen’rous tears bestow.”

XIII.

Thus as he spoke, the REDBREAST mild,
The friend of human-kind,
Wide scatter’d leaves o’er the low mound,
And on the turf reclin’d.

XIV.

While PHILOMEL with plaintive notes
Funereal dirges sung
O’er LAURA’S tomb, who oft’ in life
Had mourn’d _her_ ravish’d young.

XV.

And vain (she sang) was Wisdom’s lore,
That taught the heart to hide;
And vain the empty idle boast
Of Philosophic Pride.

XVI.

The flow’rs more sweetly seem’d to smile
Reviving at her lay;
And sweeter scent, and fresher green,
The swelling leaves display.

XVII.

The Sage stood check’d, the solemn song
Such virtue could impart;
He dropp’d a tear, to pity due,
That humaniz’d the heart.

XVIII.

The “graceful softness of the soul”
He learn’d thenceforth to prize;
And own’d, _where_ NATURE _touch’d the Heart,_
_’Twas_ FOLLY _to be_ WISE.

FABLE XXIV.

The FIELD and GARDEN DAISY.

I.

In fields, where Thames her swelling wave
Translucent pours along;
Where many a blooming green retreat
Inspires the poet’s song;

II.

A mead with native beauty crown’d,
Extends its verdant bed;
Where fragrant Field-flow’rs wildly bloom,
In sweet confusion spread.

III.

It chanc’d a sportive youth had there
A GARDEN DAISY rear’d,
Which ’midst the tribe of wilder sort
Full haughtily appear’d.

IV.

“Away! (she cry’d) ye meaner train,
“Whose leaves no culture know;
“Respect the Cultivated Flower,
“That _deigns_ in fields to grow!

V.

“And chiefly _thou_ that boast’st _my_ name,
“Though surely _not ally’d_;
“Claim kindred with thy native weeds,
“Nor flourish by _my_ side!

VI.

“I know thee not;—thy form I scorn;
“In native splendour bright
“IRIS has dipp’d my painted leaves,
“All beauteous to the sight.

VII.

“Whilst THOU!—but vainly spent the time,
“On such a flow’r bestow’d:
“Disdain’d by all the Garden’s tribes,
“_My_ late belov’d abode.

VIII.

“Know ME your queen, ye low-born race,
“Confess superior sway;
“Nor longer in my presence bloom,
“But tremble, and obey.”

IX.

“To foul reproach (the DAISY said)
“What answer can we yield,
“When _cultivated flow’rs_ insult
“The natives of the field?

X.

“Yet what art THOU? proud gaudy toy,
“Descended but from me,
“Who mourn too late I e’er gave birth
“To such Ingrates as thee!

XI.

“I have my use, and oft’ am seen
“The village maids t’ adorn:
“Go prouder _thou_, in gardens bloom,
“And be the great-ones scorn.

XII.

“But here, proud flow’r, thy date is short,
“The soil denies thee room;
“And ev’n this spot, where now thou swell’st,
“Shall shortly prove thy tomb.”

XIII.

The Sun gaz’d hot, the foreign field
No moisture would supply;
Soon did the boaster droop her head,
And wither, fade, and die.

XIV.

What need I more?—The village swain,
While on the sod reclin’d,
Feels the plain Moral of the Tale
Deep graven on his mind.

FABLE XXV.

The PINKS and ARBUTUS.

I.

Virtue, the growth of ev’ry clime,
Alike should be rever’d;
Whether from distant regions brought,
Or in _our_ country rear’d.

II.

Rome, the great mistress of the world,
Such height had ne’er attain’d;
The train of worth in ev’ry land
Had her proud sons disdain’d.

III.

From _foreign_ arms, from _foreign_ arts,
Her _native_ glory rose;
And more than half her boasted state
She borrow’d from her foes.

IV.

Vain is that boast of selfish pride,
Which deems no worth is found,
But in the narrow sphere confin’d
Of its own native ground.

V.

Though not to foreign lands, untaught,
We need for Virtue roam;
Yet real Virtue, nurs’d abroad,
Should be rever’d at home.—

VI.

On fair Ierne’s happy shore
A tall ARBUTUS plac’d,
Bloom’d near a sweetly-cultur’d spot,
By PINKS unnumber’d grac’d,

VII.

’Twas on the border of that lake[24],
Where vary’d prospects rise,
Of sunny hills, o’er-hanging rocks,
And low’ring misty skies;

[24] The Lake of Killarney, most romantically situated in the county of Kerry, in Ireland, where the Arbutus tree is found, which bears a most beautiful blossom, and a fruit sometimes used for food, and which is supposed to have been transplanted thither from Italy.

VIII.

SELINA, wand’ring near the Lake,
The foreign tree survey’d;
“And bloom’st thou ’midst our native Flow’rs?”
Exclaim’d the redd’ning maid—

IX.

“O could these hands thy root remove!
“But since that may not be,
“Far I’ll transplant my fragrant Race,
“Now plac’d too near to thee.”

X.

She said—when strait before her stood
An ancient Hermit grave;
With silver’d locks and streaming beard,
The tenant of the cave;

XI.

“Desist, fond maid! the Hermit cry’d,
“Lest these thy favour’d flow’rs
“Should die, if hastily remov’d
“From these their well-known bow’rs;

XII.

“What if the tall ARBUTUS share
“Th’ indulgence of thy land;
“Do not his sweetly fragrant flow’rs
“As fair a lot demand?

XIII.

“Nor let IERNE’S children grieve,
“Where foreign worth is shown;
“But learn with cultivating care
“To make that worth _their own_.

XIV.

“For thee, fair maid—the patriot flame
“Still nourish in thy breast:
“But let that flame by Reason’s rules
“Be modell’d and repress’d.

XV.

“Know that thy country’s weal depends
“Not on _herself_ alone;
“But each assisting hand that strives
“To fix fair Freedom’s throne.

XVI.

“Commerce and Stores from other lands
“Your glories still increase;
“Encourage then the golden stream,
“And ev’ry art of peace.