Classic Poem

As Silvia in her garden stray'd,
Where each officious rose,
To welcome the approaching maid
With fairer beauty glows.

Transported from their dewy beds,
The new-blown lilies rise;
Gay tulips wave their shining heads,
To please her brighter eyes.

A bee that sought the sweetest flow'r,
To this fair quarter came:
Soft humming round the fatal bow'r
That held the smiling dame.

He searched the op'ning buds with care
And flew from tree to tree:
But, Silvia, finding none so fair,
Unwisely fixed on thee.

Her hand obedient to her thought,
The rover did destroy;
And the slain insect dearly bought
Its momentary joy.

O, Silvia, cease your anger now
To this your guiltless foe;
And smooth again that gentle brow,
Where lasting lilies blow.

Soft Cynthio vows when you depart,
The sun withdraws its ray,
That nature trembles like his heart,
And storms eclipse the day.

Amintor swears a morning sun's
Less brilliant than your eyes;
And tho' his tongue at random runs,
You seldom think he lies.

They tell you, those soft lips may vie
With pinks at op'ning day;
And yet you slew Asimple fly
For proving what they say.

Believe me, not a bud like thee
In this fair garden blows;
Then blame no more the erring bee,
That took you for the rose.