Part 3

But yet not undisturb’d her lot By Providence was cast; For oft’ the herds went grazing forth And laid the meadow waste.

IV.

And oft’ the trav’ler’s careless step Had laid her on the plain; Yet, by the living streamlet fed, She soon reviv’d again.

V.

At length a curious Florist saw The sweetly blooming flow’r; Call’d her the field’s and garden’s pride, And plac’d her in his bow’r.

VI.

Here, with a thousand beauties rang’d, Her elegance was lost; No more the cultur’d spot she grac’d; No more fair FLORA’S boast.

VII.

Abandon’d by his hand, who first Her charms with pleasure view’d; She in her rise beheld her fate, And now neglected stood.

VIII.

She droop’d, she pin’d; the richer soil No nurture could afford; And oft’ in vain her humbler lot The fading flow’r deplor’d.

IX.

The happier tribes that flourish’d round Did each her state deride; Rejoicing that she paid so dear For what they deem’d her pride.

X.

The Sun in Cancer flam’d aloft Dry thirst her moisture drank; In vain she wish’d the lucent flood, Or shade of osiers dank.

XI.

Oppress’d at length she drooping fell, As ready to expire; Her bosom unresisting spread To Sol’s consuming fire.

XII.

When lo! from heav’n a gentle rain Cool’d that too fervid ray; And soon reviv’d the beauteous flow’r, Which glow’d upon the day.

XIII.

Her bloom restor’d, renew’d again; Her former lord attends; And midst the fairest of the fair She numbers now her friends.

XIV.

Yet, deeply struck with former ills, An humble flow’r she blooms; No pride that lovely bosom knows, Whence ZEPHYR steals perfumes;

XV.

And to the Fair this useful truth She evermore reveals; _That she best knows her Beauty’s force,_ _Who modestly conceals_.

FABLE XII.

The TULIP and the AMARANTH.

I.

Where various beauties mingled rise, All grateful to the view; With variegated beauties bright, A gaudy TULIP grew.

II.

Its leaves with flamy splendour shine, Mix’d with more vivid green; And all the tints that deck heav’n’s bow Upon the flow’r are seen.

III.

The gently passing vernal air The beauteous plant caress’d; And ZEPHYR ever pleas’d reclin’d Upon the charmer’s breast.

IV.

While near at hand the GENTLE FLOW’R, Call’d AMARANTH, below The blooming guest of JOVE’S own seats, Deign’d in her prime to grow.

V.

Yet she with hairs uncouthly deck’d, Unlike the Tulip race, Is not among the flowr’ets found, Whose colours mark their grace.

VI.

This swell’d her rival’s empty pride, And, vain of empty shew; The Amaranth askance she ey’d, And thus contemptuous spoke;

VII.

“Of all the flow’rs that deck the lawn, “The progeny of Spring; “And all that of maturer birth “The later seasons bring:

VIII.

“Of all that for their fairer forms “May raise the justest claim; “Of all that men for beauty prize, “Or from perfection name:

IX.

“Behold me, first and fairest known, “Still lov’d and valu’d most; “Soft daughter of the vernal hour, “The cultur’d garden’s boast.

X.

“Why deign I then so long with _these_ “To dwell without reserve; “That scarce, though vulgar eyes they charm, “The name of FLOW’R deserve?”

XI.

The blooming Amaranth, unmov’d, Repress’d her forward pride; The boaster’s arrogance despis’d, And wisely thus reply’d;

XII.

“Yes, gaudy thing; thy various hues “Are fine indeed and gay; “Glaring thou glitter’st on the sight, “And flaunt’st it to the day!

XIII.

“No flow’r around more bright can blow, “In beauty more mature! “But tell me, false, frail, giddy thing, “How long shall that endure?

XIV.

“Me, not the least of FLORA’S tribe, “Me thou hast laugh’d to scorn, “And deem’d my claim to beauty vain, “Although cœlestial born.

XV.

“For know, though scarce allow’d by thee “To rank among the flow’rs; “From Heav’n I draw my high descent, “And bloom’d in Eden’s bow’rs.

XVI.

“And still eternal is my race, “No frail decay I know; “But, emblem of the first great Spring, “For ever bloom below.

XVII.

“But thou! the pageant of an hour, “Too quickly shalt deplore “Those beauties with’ring all away, “Which fade, to charm no more.

XVIII.

“_Thou_, wretch! no second Spring shalt see, “To renovate thy bloom; “Whilst _I_ survive the stroke of fate, “And triumph o’er the tomb.

XIX.

“Cease then thy boast! in Wisdom’s lore “Go learn thyself to know; “And by _her_ never-failing rule “Judge all things here below.

XX.

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

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.