Part 5

The same revolving day that saw Their scene of life begun, Beheld them sink to dust again, With the declining sun.

V.

And one of these, at noon-tide hour, (The hardiest of his race) Urg’d to the Field-flow’r bright and gay His quick and eager pace.

VI.

But when no fragrant scent he found In that same flow’r so bright; He to the sweeter Rosemary Immediate urg’d his flight.

VII.

The _lasting_ aromatic plant, His speed with wonder view’d; Advis’d him other flow’rs to seek, Nor on her spot intrude.

VIII.

“And how can I for _thee_ (she said) “My happier pow’rs display, “Or with my lasting flow’r support “The insect of a day?

IX.

“Sure Nature form’d thy race in sport, “Continual to destroy; “Nor ever meant thy race to taste “One pure, substantial joy.”

X.

“Not so,” the wiser Insect cry’d, “My high descent I claim “From PHŒBUS’ self—you cannot more, “Nor wish a higher name.

XI.

“What if to me a shorter date “By Nature’s law is giv’n; “Each moment that I live, _t’ enjoy_, “Is all I ask of Heav’n.

XII.

“Beneath the Mushroom’s spacious shade, “Or in the mossy bow’r, “Or still at noon as _now_ reclin’d, “Beneath some fragrant flow’r.

XIII.

“Know, that as much of life I trace “In one revolving sun; “As yonder herds, whose destin’d course “Full many an age has run.

XIV.

“For equal are great Nature’s gifts, “And but an idle dream; “The boast of time, which glides away “Swift as the passing stream.

XV.

“Well to employ the present hour, “Sweet plant, be ever thine; “LIFE’S little day, _when once elaps’d_, “_Shall seem as short as_ MINE.”

FABLE XXX.

The JUDGEMENT of FLOWERS.

I.

Far from the busy haunts of men, Far from the glaring eye of day; Still Fancy paints, with Nature’s pen, Such tints as never can decay.

II.

Hast thou not seen, at ev’ning hour, When PHŒBUS sunk beneath the main, Reclin’d in some sequester’d bow’r, The village maid, or shepherd swain?

III.

Hast thou not mark’d them cull with care Some favour’d flow’ret from the rest, To deck the breast, or bind the hair, Of those they priz’d and lov’d the best?

IV.

And still expressive of the mind The emblematic gift was found; Whether to mournful thought inclin’d, Or with triumphant gladness crown’d.—

V.

Near AVON’S banks, a cultur’d spot, With many a tuft of flow’rs adorn’d, Was once an aged shepherd’s lot, Who scenes of greater splendor scorn’d.

VI.

Three beauteous daughters bless’d his bed, Who made the little plat their care; And ev’ry sweet by FLORA spread Attentive still they planted there.

VII.

Once, when still ev’ning veil’d the sky, The sire walk’d forth, and sought the bow’r; And bade the lovely maids draw nigh, And each select some favour’d flow’r.

VIII.

The first, with radiant splendor charm’d, A variegated Tulip chose: The next, with love of beauty charm’d, Preferr’d the sweetly-blushing Rose.

IX.

The third, who mark’d, with depth of thought, How those bright Flow’rs must droop away, An Ev’ning Primrose only brought, Which opens with the closing day.

X.

The sage a while in silence view’d The various choice of flow’rs display’d; And then (with wisdom’s gift endu’d) Address’d each beauteous list’ning maid!

XI.

“Who chose the Tulip’s splendid dyes, “Shall own, too late, when that decays, “That, vainly proud, not greatly wise, “She only caught a short-liv’d blaze.

XII.

“The Rose, though beauteous leaves and sweet “Its glorious vernal pride adorn: “Let her who chose beware to meet “The biting sharpness of its thorn.

XIII.

“But _she_, who to fair day-light’s train “The Ev’ning flow’r more just preferr’d; “Chose real worth, nor chose in vain “The one great object of regard.

XIV.

“Ambitious _thou_! the Tulip race “In all life’s vary’d course beware: “Caught with sweet Pleasure’s rosy grace, “Do _thou_ its sharper thorns beware.

XV.

“_Thou_ prudent still to Virtue’s lore, “Attend, and mark her counsels sage! “She like _thy flow’r_ has sweets in store, “To soothe the ev’ning of thine age.”

XVI.

He ceas’d—attend the moral strain, The Muse enlighten’d pours; Nor let her pencil trace in vain The Judgement of the Flow’rs.

FINIS.

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