Even partial to a northern clime,
Where nature strews her frugal sweets,
And smiling on the poet's rhyme,
The generous FLORA slow retreats.
Fair LEONORA , dangerous maid,
Who reared, and wore, each beauteous flower,
Took, one day, for superfluous aid,
The rose's, and the jasmine's power.
C LITANDER , with adventurous choice,
To specious warfare seated nigh,
Inhaled soft musick from her voice,
Delicious poison from her eye.
Cupid , to whom all archers yield,
Perched in her breast;—the bright bouquet
Before him glowed; and thus concealed,
The God, in charming ambush lay.
Unseen, a small, but piercing dart,
Flew from his unrelenting bow;
I need not tell you, that the heart
Is always reached when be's the foe.
Some blushing leaves, transfixed, and borne
On the dread arrow winged their way;
Now, beyond cure, the heart was torne;
Compleat the triumph of the day.
The fragrant foliage of the rose,
But more decisive made the wound;
In RENT such foliage never blows,
Nor yet on SHARON 's holy ground.
Unfading flower! the SIBYL 's leaves,
Fraught with JOVE 's friendship, or his hate,
As every feeling soul believes,
Were never charged with surer fate!
Oh! dire effect of beauty's pride!
As POPE , in his immortal strain
Hath sung, the hapless lover died,
Entranced, “of aromatick pain!”
The God of keenest joys, and woes,
Exulting, to OLYMPUS flew;
And envious of the honoured rose ,
The jasmine drooped, and paler grew.