FLORA AND THALIA. 1 



The soil must be renew'd, which, often wash'd, 

 Loses its treasure of salubrious salts, 

 And disappoints the roots ; the slender roots 

 Close interwoven, where they meet the vase 

 Must smooth be shorn away ; the sapless branch 

 Must fly before the knife ; the wither'd leaf 

 Must be detach'd, and where it strews the floor, 

 Swept with a woman's neatness, breeding else 

 Contagion, and disseminating death. 

 Discharge but these kind offices, (and who 

 Would spare, that loves them, oflices like these?) 

 Well they reward the toil. The sight is pleased ; 

 The scent regal'd ; each odorifrous leaf. 

 Each op'ning blossom, freely breathes abroad 

 Its gratitude, and thanks him with its sweets. 



COWPER. 



GARDENING. 



To deck the shapely knoll. 



That softly swell'd, and gaily dress'd, appears 

 A flow'ry island from the dark green lawn 

 Emerging, must be deem'd a labour due 

 To no mean hand, and asks the touch of taste. 

 Here also grateful mixture of well-match'd 

 And sorted hues, (each giving each relief, 

 And by contrasted beauty shining more,) 



