Part 4

“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.

XVII.

“Nor foreign Flow’rs, nor foreign Plants, “Deny a fost’ring place; “When those fair Plants or blooming Flow’rs “Bring Profit, Sweet, or Grace.

XVIII.

“Reject alone the idle weed, “That blooms but to destroy; “To cultivate the rest with care “Your utmost skill employ.”

XIX.

He ceas’d;—the Nymph her task forsook, And still together bloom The beautous Tree, and fragrant Flow’rs, Whence ZEPHYRS steal perfume.

FABLE XXVI.

The COCK’S COMB and SWEET WILLIAM.

I.

High rose the Sun, the fleeting hours Verg’d tow’rds meridian height, And all around the glitt’ring scene Was lost in floods of light.

II.

The flocks and herds, that graz’d awhile, Now left the sunny glade; And in the stream their fervour cool’d, Or sought the shelt’ring shade.

III.

Beneath a high projected fence, At this irradiate hour, The sweet _Dianthus_[25] humbly blew, A solitary Flow’r.

[25] Another name for Sweet William.

IV.

But where a thousand mingling sweets Diffus’d a rich perfume; The gaudy COCK’S COMB, idly vain, Appear’d in all its bloom.

V.

And “Matchless excellence!” he cry’d, “With ME what can compare? “The sweetest of the vernal train “Were never half so fair.

VI.

“My crested head erect I rear, “And bloom with matchless grace; “The brightest hue my leaves adorns, “Of all the flow’ry race.

VII.

“Nay, to immortal pow’rs a-kin, “Descent from Heav’n I claim[26]; “And from eternal-blooming Flow’rs “Derive my honour’d name.”

[26] This Flower is a kind of Bastard Amaranth.

VIII.

I view’d the Plant, its form admir’d; When a more modest Flow’r Engag’d my eye, where soft it rose Within its lonely bow’r.

IX.

“Sweet tribes, (he sang,) fair FLORA’S care, “What beauties you display! “My breast expands with social joy “To see your bright array.

X.

“To _me_, the last of flow’rets, give, “Within this pale to grow: “And give the west winds gentle breath “O’er this my bed to blow.”

XI.

He spoke—the pow’rs indulgent heard, Soft ZEPHYRS fann’d the trees; And o’er his humble earthy bed Diffus’d a gentle breeze.

XII.

Smit with the fragrance of the scent The winds rejoicing bore; I own’d the pow’r of modest worth, Whose rival charm’d no more[27].

XIII.

Say, Fair-ones, is the Moral plain, In easy Fable drest? It is but this—_To Merit true,_ _Throw Coxcombs from your breast_.

[27] The Cock’s Comb being a gaudy Flower, without any agreeable smell to recommend it.

FABLE XXVII.

The JASMINE and HEMLOCK.

I.

Tow’ring aloft, a JASMINE sweet In a rich garden stood; And thence, nurs’d by wild Nature’s care, The neighb’ring HEMLOCK view’d.

II.

High o’er the pale the angry flow’r Rear’d her affronted head; And, glowing in her vernal bloom, She thus contemptuous said:

III.

“Say, worse than Aconite, pernicious weed! “How dar’st thou here to grow; “And thy detested head advance, “Near where my blossoms blow?”

IV.

The angry HEMLOCK strait reply’d, “Thou proud insulting thing! “Vain is thy pride, and vain thy boast, “Though deck’d by gaudy Spring.

V.

“Thou, in the blooming garden plac’d, “May’st please the roving eye. “I in some field or secret shade “My useful aid supply.

VI.

“Nay, scornful flow’r! what I declare, “Great Nature’s self will own: “Ordaining all things fair and good, “When once their use is known.

VII.

“Go ask of genial BACCHUS’ tree, “Where purple clusters glow; “(Whose juice produces gen’rous wine, “The balm of human woe.)

VIII.

“Go ask what various ills attend, “That precious balm’s abuse: “Ills that too surely ev’n exceed “Those of my baneful juice.

IX.

“Yet baneful _where_? when _mis-apply’d_; “So is each blessing too. “This lesson learn, and know thyself; “Nor rob me of my due.

X.

“Me the grave Leech, who, greatly wise, “Turns Nature’s volume o’er, “Oft snatches from my low abode, “And places in his store.

XI.

“There, amongst health-bestowing plants, “He ranks my honour’d name; “And, whilst he well employs _my_ pow’rs, “Exalts _himself_ to fame.

XII.

“Thus death and life alike are _mine_, “Neither to _thee_ belong: “Though oft’ by poets most admir’d, “The theme of idle song.

XIII.

“Be thou so still; but ne’er despise “Those gifts thou canst not share: “But keep this maxim in thy heart, “_The_ USEFUL _is the_ FAIR.”

XIV.

She said—abash’d the JASMINE heard, And hung her drooping head; She saw, _That_ NATURE’S _works were good_, And all her Boasting fled.

FABLE XXVIII.

The CARNATION and SOUTHERNWOOD.

I.

Rich in a thousand beauteous dyes, The sweet CARNATION stood; While with a proud disdainful eye The SOUTHERNWOOD she view’d.

II.

“Great is thy Pride,” the flow’r exclaim’d, “To place thee near my side; “For ev’n to grow in this retreat, “Argues thy matchless pride.

III.

“Say, what art thou, thyself no flow’r, “That dar’st intrude thee here; “’Midst plants fit for a prince’s bow’r, “Flow’rs fit for kings to wear?

IV.

“Whate’er I am,” the Plant reply’d, “My post I well maintain; “And chearful lend my needful aid, “Where thine, alas! were vain.

V.

“Say, could thy flow’rs of brightest dye “_Infection’s_ force withstand? “Ah! what could all thy beauties do, “If plagues laid waste the land?

VI.

“Mean as I am, the task is mine, “To purge th’ unwholesome air; “To clear the brain, the blood refine, “And seat HYGEIA[28] there.

[28] The Goddess of Health.

VII.

“Nay farther still;—thyself shalt own “How oft’ I’m join’d with thee; “And thy bright blossoms brighter bloom, “Because they’re plac’d by me.

VIII.

“Are not the _various tints_, which deck “This scene, the Florist’s pride? “ME then, imperious! venerate “For pow’rs to thee deny’d.—

IX.

“Say, if each warbler of the grove “Should chuse the self-same strain; “Would the tir’d ear the concert please, “Or wish 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-plastic art.

XI.

“Contented then in diff’rent spheres “Unenvying let us move: “For this must still most grateful be “To THOSE who rule above.

XII.

“_Me_ let _thy_ sweetest fragrance grace, “Ev’n from the early May; “And _thee_ will _I_ in gardens fair “With sov’reign balm repay.

XIII.

“For, thus united while we stand, “We need to ask no more; “While mutually we take and give, “We double all our _store_.”

XIV.

Prudent she said;—her rival, pleas’d, Adopts the smelling green; And one for _Use_, and one for _Show_, Together now are seen.

XV.

Learn hence, _That various talents giv’n_ _Mean variously to bless:_ _And thus on mutual wants kind Heav’n_ _Builds mutual Happiness_.

FABLE XXIX.

The ROSEMARY and FIELD FLOWER.

I.

Upon the fam’d HYPANIS’ banks, By chance, in days of yore, A tuft of Rosemary there grew, Which scented all the shore.

II.

And near at hand a Field-flow’r rear Its variegated head; And view’d full many a spacious track, With dreary desarts spread.

III.

But where the river roll’d its stream, Unnumber’d insects swarm’d; Which rose in myriads into life, By PHŒBUS’ influence warm’d[29].

[29] On the banks of the river Hypanis, there is a sort of insect, whose life is said only to extend from the rising to the setting of the sun.

IV.