Part 2

“The root, the plant, the leaf, the flow’r, “Alike our wonder raise; “And all confess the fragrant stock, “Renown’d in ancient days.

III.

“Some say, but one revolving age “Beholds thy beauties spread; “And rear aloft to genial suns “Its highly blooming head.

IV.

“But thou, like Merit, kindly nurs’d, “An early spring wilt know; “While, check’d by rigid, frowning skies, “Thy gems forget to glow.

V.

“Emblem of Genius rarely known, “And still more rarely giv’n; “To reap the good itself imparts, “And share the gifts of Heav’n.

VI.

“Say, glorious stranger, rear’d erewhile “In distant, sunny lands; “Can either India more bestow, “Than Albion’s isle commands?

VII.

“In western and in southern climes “Too long hast thou been plac’d; “And India’s sands, and Afric’s wilds, “Thy beauteous presence grac’d.

VIII.

“Deign then, O sov’reign plant, thy balm, “On this our land bestow; “And give thy flow’rs in all their grace “And lustre here to blow.”—

IX.

The Guardian Sylph, that watch’d the flow’r, Confess’d before me stood; And shook his bright and sunny locks, And thus my suit withstood:

X.

“Cease, cease, he cry’d, such boons to ask, “As scarce deserve a name; “While Albion, favour’d from above, “Can greater blessings claim.

XI.

“Still, still, their gems and spicy store, “Let either India boast; “And Afric vaunt the precious sands, “That glitter on her coast.

XII.

“Not these, nor all the hidden wealth, “That earth or sea possess; “Can match those richer gifts of heav’n, “Which fair Britannia bless.

XIII.

“Peace, Freedom, Wealth from farthest shores, “By golden commerce brought; “All these are hers, and ev’ry good, “By happiest nations sought.

XIV.

“Nor _this_ alone; here Genius blooms, “A _Flow’r_ excelling _mine_. “Nor asks a whole revolving age, “In glories to refine.

XV.

“Here too the Fair, with beauty bright, “The hearts of heroes warm; “Those _human blossoms_ genial blow, “And put forth ev’ry charm.

XVI.

“Cease then, _nor envy other climes_ “_Their beauties thinly strewn_; “_But learn with decent pride to prize_ “_The blessings of your own_.”

FABLE III.

The ROSE and the HORNET.

I.

Deep in a lone sequester’d vale, Where many’ a streamlet flows; And nurs’d by many’ a gentle gale, Soft bloom’d a damask Rose.

II.

The Summer’s suns, the Zephyrs bland, All own’d her peerless queen; The honey’d Bee, Spring’s sweetest child, Oft’ sought her breast serene.

III.

Her beauties op’ning on the day, With ev’ry grace were crown’d; Imbib’d the golden solar beam, And deck’d the desart ground.

IV.

Daughter of Nature, still she blow’d, Where human face ne’er shone; And spread her blossoms to the view But of the Sun alone.

V.

Pride of the East, a brighter glow, Beyond our garden’s bloom, Bade her with heighten’d beauty blush, And scatter rich perfume.

VI.

Her rudely rushing through the air An angry HORNET ’spy’d; Vow’d to enjoy the heav’nly flow’r, In all her blooming pride.

VII.

Bold son of heat, with rudest haste, His course he strait address’d; To rifle all her charms in spite, And riot on her breast.

VIII.

He search’d each leaf, each blossom wounds With rude unhallow’d rage; Yet nothing could his search explore, His passion to assuage.

IX.

The beauteous flow’r, though wildly rent, No sweetness would afford; But hurt by many a vengeful thorn, His rashness he deplor’d.

X.

At length, thus baffled and deceiv’d, Enrag’d, he silence broke; And now of ev’ry hope bereft, He thus insulting spoke;

XI.

“Vain gaudy flow’r, they term thy breast “Engaging, bright, and fair; “Who seek thy bosom, ne’er shall find “Or joy or sweetness there.

XII.

“The Bee indeed, thy fav’rite, still “Says, Honey springs from thee; “Yet nought but trouble, care, and pain, “Hast thou bestow’d on me.

XIII.

“Then boast no more thy beauteous form “That still excites desire; “Since _Thorns_ alone thou canst bestow, “To quench a lover’s fire.”

XIV.

Then thus the Rose,—“Intruder vile! “Who thus would’st force employ; “Though arm’d with pow’r; know ’tis not thine “To taste substantial joy.

XV.

“The Bee, who sips each sweet that glows “In lawn or shady bow’r, “Tastes all the honey as he flies, “But never wounds the flow’r.

XVI.

“Whilst thou, both impious and unwise, “Of all our tribes the scorn: “For ev’ry violated sweet “Shalt always meet a thorn.”

FABLE IV. The SENSITIVE PLANT.

I.

Rare plant, or flow’r, or nymph-like tree, With human sense endu’d; Why dost thou shrink beneath the touch, And bear but to be _view’d_?

II.

Say does some Hamadryad chuse In that green stem to live? And to her highly favour’d shrine This strong sensation give?

III.

Well for thy sake their ancient oaks The wood-nymphs might forsake; And in thy purer bosom with Their lov’d abodes to make.

IV.

Yet why indignant from each hand Alike dost thou retire? Does ev’ry touch, replete with ill, Alike thy hate inspire?

V.

Too cautious nymph! well might’st thou deign To some thy breast unfold; Sure those would _worship_ at the _touch_, Who _love_ when they _behold_.

VI.

Shrunk in herself, with modest grace The Plant thus fair reply’d, “Whate’er my source, my maiden state “But ill agrees with pride[10].

[10] This flower is encompassed with thorns, and its root is said to have a poisonous quality.

VII.

“In purity alone I joy; “I seek no other fame, “But that which from chaste wishes grows, “And suits a virgin’s name.

VIII.

“Nymphs of the woods, the groves, and streams, “Too oft have found the smart “Of looser fires, which, once indulg’d, “Will rankle in the heart.

IX.

“Me no rude touch shall e’er profane; “That guard if once I leave, “Of ev’ry virtue well I know “Mankind would me bereave.

X.

“Nor this alone, know, curious youth, “A thorny mail I own; “Foe to the rash unthinking hand “That violates my throne.

XI.

“And ev’n within this spotless breast “Does deadly venom spring; “So he that ravishes the sweets, “May meet the mortal sting.

XII.

“Go then, and range from flow’r to flow’r, “Amidst the gaudy train: “But sacred be my homely plant, “To bright-hair’d Vesta’s reign.

XIII.

“She ceas’d; nor I the flow’r profan’d, “To chastity devote; “But on the sand with rustic pen, “This sacred moral wrote:

XIV.

_The Nymph who slights strict virtue’s guard,_ _Shall quickly meet a snare;_ _And Pleasures, rais’d on Virtue’s bane,_ _Are fatal, as they’re fair._

FABLE V.

The HAWTHORN and the PRIMROSE.

I.

Beneath a wild and rustic shade, Impervious to the view; In the sweet-smiling month of May, A lovely Primrose grew.

II.

The gentle child of early Spring By bounteous FLORA crown’d; With vernal beauties born to deck The unfrequented ground.

III.

The brightest dye, the sweetest scent, Her yellow leaves could yield; Were spent upon the empty air, Nor e’er adorn’d the field.

IV.

For round her grew a bushy brake, With many’ a thorn beset; And many’ a weed obscene and foul Deform’d the green retreat.

V.

But high above the rest advanc’d A spreading Hawthorn rose; Whose lengthen’d branches overhung The seat of her repose.

VI.

Her gem-like blossoms wide display’d The darkling dell adorn; With grateful fragrance kiss the wind, And drink the dew of morn’.

VII.

Her the lone Rose in mournful guise Full many a day had ey’d; And thus at length one summer’s eve She all impatient cry’d.

VIII.

“Ah Thorn! the bane of all my hopes! “Ah Thorn! that wound’st my peace! “Still must I view thy branches spread, “And still my woes increase:

IX.

“I who long since had, happier far, “Been by some fair caress’d; “Had drunk the radiance of her eye, “And panted on her breast?

X.

“What have I done, O wretch! that still “This evil treatment meets; “Or hast thou aught in lieu to give “To those who lose my sweets?”

XI.

She said:—the Hawthorn thus reply’d, “Fond pageant of an hour! “Art _thou_ displeas’d because _I_ bloom, “Though shelter’d by my pow’r?

XII.

“And know’st thou not that but for _me_ “Thy boasted bloom were vain; “By grazing herds trod under foot, “And level’d with the plain?

XIII.

“_Thee_ I protect; _myself_ am known “Among the warlike race; “Whom Nature arms with prompt defence “Of most excelling grace.

XIV.

“Nor idly I these weapons wear, “Nor idle is my bloom; “One arms me for myself and thee; “The other sheds perfume.

XV.

“And oft as this returning month “Adds vigour to the year; “Crown’d with my gems in rustic dance “The nymphs and swains appear.

XVI.

“Me the fleet hare, and tim’rous fawn, “Seek at their greatest need; “They rest secure beneath my shade, “And on my bounty feed.

XVII.

“But most the plaintive Philomel, “Sweet warbler of the grove, “Joys ’midst my branches to repose, “And sing her hapless love.

XVIII.

“Against my thorns her bosom plac’d, “She strains her tuneful throat; “And by my useful aid exalts “Each sweetly trilling note.

XIX.

“Sacred to FLORA, of her train “Although no flow’r am I; “And born to flourish many a moon, “When thou shalt fade and die.”

XX.

“Cease then, nor envy this my state, “Which must _thy own_ defend; “The thorns I bear shall save thy flow’r, “And prove thy surest friend.”

XXI.

So spake the HAWTHORN, justly wise; The ROSE unansw’ring heard: I caught the Moral, as it rose; And thus its sense appear’d:

XXII.

_Life’s humble vale is most secure;_ _Cares on th’ exalted wait:_ _Yet those who well the weak protect_ _Deserve_ UNENVY’D STATE.

FABLE VI.

The WHITE ROSE and the RED.

I.

Contending beauties, whom the doom Of Fate has still assign’d Two fragrant rival flow’rs to blow, And scent the western wind;

II.

The WHITE ROSE and the BLUSHING RED, Each one the garden’s pride, With equal grace their leaves display’d, And flourish’d side by side.

III.

The _first_ of spotless beauty vain That sudden caught the eye, The _last_ attentive praise to gain From her more sanguine dye.

IV.

Of sov’reign virtue both well known, Both favour’d from above: Still full of glory rose each flow’r, Emblems of gentle Love.

V.

Yet ’twixt their stocks wild feuds subsist, To work them lasting woe; Whilst each of other still complain’d, And strove her overthrow.

VI.

“Shame, said the RED, on that pale hue, “Which speaks the wearer’s heart; “That, void of virtue as of grace, “No colour can impart.

VII.

“Unlike the blushes that adorn “My flow’r with colour meet, “AURORA’S, when she wakes the day, “Appear not half so sweet.”

VIII.

“Nay! Shame on thee, the White reply’d, “Whose blush by _guilt_ was giv’n: “Ev’n by the blood of VENUS shed, “Our patroness in Heav’n[11].

IX.

“Till then like me all Roses were, “Whose ancient stock I claim; “And, void of crime, still reprobate “Their colour with their name.”

X.

“This and much more she angry said: “But JOVE’S immortal flow’r[12] “Their ill-meant conversation broke, “With soft, persuasive pow’r.

[11] According to the old Fable, the Rose was at first always white, till Venus, while she was pursuing Adonis, scratched herself with its thorns, and thereby stained it with her cœlestial blood.

[12] The Amaranth.

XI.

“Forbear, she cry’d, in haughty guise, “Reproachful to contend: “Whoe’er the victrix, small her gain, “That thus can lose a friend.

XII.

“Ally’d by Nature in your kind, “And diff’ring but in Hue: “You both possess intrinsic worth, “And outward beauty too.

XIII.

“Long was the strife your[13] ancient state, “In this our isle pursu’d; “Which many a year drench’d either Rose, “In seas of kindred blood.

XIV.

“Oh! may no more such horrors rise, “Within our Garden’s pale: “But all with emulation strive, “That concord may prevail!

[13] Alluding to the Civil Wars of York and Lancaster, in which the White Rose and the Red were adopted as tokens or devices by their different partisans.

XV.

“May civil feuds and ranc’rous hate “From hence be banish’d far; “Foul is that strife, where friends contest, “And wage inhuman war.

XVI.

“Then to this solemn truth give ear; “_Where trifles thus are priz’d,_ “_If two for victory contend;_ “_They both will be despis’d_.”

FABLE VII.

The CROCUS.

I.

“Say, beauteous flow’r, whose burnish’d leaves “With Spring’s own livery glow: “In these bleak months, why dost thou chuse “T’ adorn a waste of snow?

II.

“Say, dost thou grudge to summer-skies, “That bloom divinely bright: “Or, are thy beauties clearer seen, “Through this thin Robe of White?

III.

“The Snow-drop, thy companion fair, “As well thy foil might prove, “And both might bloom in seasons sweet, “And far from hence remove.

IV.

“To Summer’s gayer months benign; “Should’st thou transfer thy reign, “Thy beauties still would brighter glow, “And doubly grace the plain.—”

V.

I said:—the lovely smiling flow’r, The beauty of its race; And friendly to the sons of men, Reply’d with decent grace:

VI.

“Nature’s great book before thee set: “She blames thee not to scan “Her works on every side display’d, “The fit employ of man.

VII.

“When Spring and Summer glad the earth, “Ten thousand beauties bloom; “And various flow’rs of brightest hue, “Diffuse a rich perfume.

VIII.

“Autumn of fruits her tribute brings, “With, yellow harvests crown’d; “Then laugh the hills and vales, and meads “With richest plenty crown’d.

IX.

“Winter, at length, with gloomy brow, “Comes on to close the year; “When flow’rs and fruits, and all their race, “Almost extinct appear.

X.

“Yet still some few the gracious Pow’rs “Permit of these to bloom: “Nor heap alike all FLORA’S race, “In one remorseless tomb.

XI.

“And soon as to the wat’ry Signs, “The Sun retreats again; “Then she my flamy dyes awakes, “And bids me deck the plain.

XII.

“Nor less my worth because ’midst snows, “My head I early rear; “My flow’r still fresh and lively blooms, “As at the closing year.

XIII.

“And know, when Autumn’s Sun prevails, “My kindred flow’rs arise; “In forms which heav’nly pow’rs might praise, “And scent the ambient skies[14].

XIV.

“These ev’ry dismal gloom dispel; “Which mis’ry can impart, “And joy and gladness still inspire, “And harmonize the heart.

XV.

“Meanwhile my earlier station here, “(Health’s harbinger) I keep, “To glad the sad and cloudy days; “When Spring’s soft Zephyrs sleep.

[14] It is here to be noted that the autumnal Crocus is the Saffron Flower, so famous in Medicine.

XVI.

“So, in the Winter of his days, “Chear thou thy drooping friend; “His sorrows sooth, his griefs assuage, “And prompt assistance lend.

XVII.

“So, when his fate and fortune lour, “Thy better aid impart; “And with thy fortune’s warmer ray, “Revive his dying heart.

XVIII.

She said;—the moral well became The sweet, propitious flow’r; I mark’d the lore with heedful mind, And own’d fair FRIENDSHIP’S pow’r.

FABLE VIII.

The ANEMONE and the PASSION FLOWER.

I.

“Bright flow’r renown’d in ancient times, “Amidst the Cyprian shades; “The theme of wonder and of praise “To soft Sidonian maids.

II.

“Hail! Goddess-born! hail! thou produc’d “From the bright mingled flood “Of VENUS’ tears, as bards have sung, “And her ADONIS’ blood.

III.

“Rich are thy blossoms in each hue “That can inchant the fight; “And strike at once the ravish’d eye “With wonder and delight.

IV.

“Hail! sacred Plant, born but to shew “ADONIS’ yearly wound; “By gentle VENUS taught to bloom, “With heav’nly beauties crown’d.”

V.

I said; when lo; an awful form Upon my orgies broke; And, like some bright cœlestial pow’r, In lofty accents spoke:

VI.

“Hence, thou profane; nor wound me thus “With thy unhallow’d song; “But turn, and see, who blossoms here, “To whom thy strains belong.

VII.

“The Tyrian Boy, and VENUS’ self; “Before my face shall fly; “Their beauty gone, their lustre lost, “And all their charms shall die.

VIII.

“I am the only flow’r on earth, “With signs divine adorn’d; “By me, of Heav’n thus favour’d high, “All Pagan Gods are scorn’d.

IX.

“The purple ring, the bloody crown, “The nails, and guilty spear, “That slew the Lord of Life, behold “In my symbolic sphere.

X.

“Deep to Lethéan shades my root “Still downward seems to tend; “As from the Cross’s sacred base, “To Hell it would descend.

XI.

“Then here thy mis-plac’d rev’rence shew, “And bow before this shrine; “Where Angel Hosts themselves might pray, “And own the Plant divine.”

XII.

She said; ADONIS’ flow’ret bow’d, As to superior pow’r; My conscious heart was struck with dread; Before the wond’rous flow’r.

XIII.

But whilst intent my rev’rence there With honour due to pay; The heav’ns withdrew their useful light, And clos’d the hours of day.

XIV.

I look’d;—no more those signs I saw, Which had my rev’rence drawn: For ever shut the mirrour stood[15], Which thus had grac’d the lawn.

XV.

A while I gaz’d; at length I cry’d, And art THOU mortal too? Are all THY sacred beauties fled, Or faded on the view?

[15] This flower opens in the morning, and fades away in the evening, closing up, and never opening again.

XVI.

_Vain then is all external awe,_ _That images impart;_ _And_ HE _that rules above is best_ _Recorded in the_ HEART.

FABLE IX.

The LILY and NARCISSUS.

I.

“Ah! hapless discontented flow’r, “That yellow leaves adorn; “Who once in life’s gay vernal pride “The brightest nymphs could’st scorn.

II.

“Hard was thy lot, and short thy date, “By form too fair undone; “Thou met’st, alas! a timeless doom, “Ere half thy course was run.

III.

“Unhappy, self-admiring youth, “A lesson thou shalt prove; “T’ avoid vain pride, that idle toy, “And shun prepost’rous love.

IV.

“Fair when a boy, now chang’d, no more “Those beauties can’st thou boast; “But ever sadly may’st repent “In vain those beauties lost.

V.

“View yonder Lily’s snowy pride, “Sprung from a seed divine; “Then own how much her beauty bright, “Fond flow’r, out-rivals thine!”

VI.

With modest grace the Lily bow’d The honours of her head; Then, with a sweet and modest grace, She thus instructive said:

VII.

“Well may they droop, to whom their fate, “With form divinely fair, “No other, better boon has giv’n “To make that beauty dear.

VIII.

“For not this glossy white I bear, “Delight of human eyes; “Nor this so graceful form admir’d, “Are what I wish to prize.

IX.

“From heav’nly strain[16] I first arose, “Emblem of chaste desires; “And still that chastity retain, “And check unhallow’d fires.

X.

“No empty self-admirer, I “Would Folly’s trophies raise; “Such _virtue_ then let all applaud, “Not empty _beauty_ praise.”

[16] According to the Old Fable, Jupiter being willing to make Hercules immortal, caused him to suck Juno while she was asleep; when the milk gushing out into a great quantity, some of it being spilt upon the sky, made the galaxy or milky way there, while the rest falling to the earth, gave birth to the White Lily.

XI.

She said; and strait the moral found Deep entrance in my breast; BEAUTY, _if not with_ VIRTUE _join’d,_ _Is but an idle jest_.

FABLE X.

The IVY and SWEET BRIAR.

I.

“Hail, sacred IVY! hail,” I said, “Devote to BACCHUS’ shrine; “Parent of wreaths, which deck the brows “Of Gods and men divine.

II.

“Why call thee baleful, why despise “Thy ancient friendly race; “Who clasp the Elm and sturdy Oak “In mystical embrace.

III.

“MINERVA’S bird too deigns to dwell “Where thou art frequent seen; “Who loves the calm and peaceful hour, “And courts the deep serene.

IV.

“Thou, like the Vine, thy patron’s joy, “Thy nurture wilt receive, “And, twining close with friendly arms, “Wilt still supported live.

V.

“With PHŒBUS’ laurel justly thou “May’st hold divided claim; “The crown of glorious conquerors, “And meed of deathless fame.”

VI.

Thus whilst I spoke, the West wind rose, And scatter’d rich perfume, From thickets, where sweet Eglantine Appear’d in vernal bloom.

VII.

Thence a soft voice salutes my ear, Which thus complaining said; “Fond youth, to yonder noxious weed “Why all these honours paid?

VIII.

“The Vine, ’tis true, will wed her Elm; “But view the dow’r she brings! “From yonder steril, forc’d embrace “Alas! what profit springs?

IX.

“Like a false friend, too sure, she twines, “Intent but to destroy; “As Jealousy, Love’s offspring, still “Impoisons all Love’s joy.

X.

“How poor that _virtue_, which retires “To solitude for aid! “_How weak that wisdom_, which can shine “Alone in night’s dun shade!

XI.

“And what, though gods and godlike men “Their victor brows have bound “With ivy’d wreaths; is then the weed “For that alone renown’d?

XII.

“Say rather, in that purer age, “When spotless honour reign’d; “The victor, seeking only fame, “A worthless crown obtain’d.

XIII.

“Hence Ivy, Parsley, Oaken Boughs, “Their labour well repaid, “Who not for gain, but glory’s charms, “Their gen’rous strength display’d.

XIV.

“But thou, regardful of fair truth, “And glory justly gain’d; “Scorn the frail claim of upstarts base, “By such false means obtain’d.

XV.

“_Not borrow’d names from high descent,_ “_Are real honour’s meed;_ “_But they alone are_ GREAT, _whose fame_ “_Springs from_ THEIR OWN _fair deed_.”

FABLE XI.

The VIOLET TRANSPLANTED.

I.

Where fragrant field-flow’rs, gaily spread, Drink deep the morning dew; Close by a murm’ring riv’let’s side An humble Vi’let grew.

II.

To her the cultur’d spot unknown, She bloom’d in her retreat; And there in native fragrance bless’d, Dispers’d a world of sweet.

III.