Or pours the Gmiges thro' the wide spread plain, 

 In foaming torrents rushing to the main. 

 By thee transported from tho farthest pole 

 Where the slow Bears their frozen circuit roll 

 We tread the region parch'd by Sirius' ray, 

 Where the bright Lotos basks in floods of day ; 

 Or pensive wander by Columhian streams, 

 Where everlasting summer pours its beams; 

 Along her vast but rich savannas rove. 

 Or trace the mazes of the boundless grove. 

 Where thousand birds their painted plumes unfold, 

 And crests that blaze with azure and with gold ; 

 Where Nature's pencil lights her brightest dies. 

 And all Bi^a^ilia flames before our eyes. 



Though, o'er her head the southern whirlwind rave. 

 Secure, behold! superb ^/r^^/i/^ia wave; 

 While amidst barren rocks and arctic snows 

 Fair Kalmia in refulgent beauty glows: — 

 Lo ! Cereus faithful to th' appointed hour. 

 With glory's beams illumes the midnight hour; 

 Ah fleeting beams ! ere Phoebus darts his rays, 

 Wither'd thy beauty, and extinct its blaze ! 

 Not so yon Aloe, on whose tow'ring head 

 An hundred years their fost'ring dews have shed ; 

 Not so the Glories that these leaves illume. 

 Whose splendid tints for centuries shall bloom! 



Fain would the Muse each beauteous Plant rehearse, 

 And sing their glories in immortal verse ; 

 But who shall paint them with a pow'r \\\.Qthi7ie, 

 'Tis in thy page those glories brightest shine! — 

 So lovely in their form, so bright their hue. 

 And in such dazzling groups they charm the view I 

 The Muse astonish'd drops her feeble lyre. 

 And baffled Art gives way to Nature's fire ;— 

 That fire is thine — in every leaf it burns. 

 And imitation's noblest efforts spurns. 

 The mighty Work complete, through ALBION's bounds 

 Thy name is echoed, and thy fame resounds; 

 Exulting Science weaves the deathless bays. 

 And rival Monarchs swell the note of Praise. 



Maurice. 



