FLORA AND THALIA. 23 



The yeilow wall-flovvev, stained with iron-brown 



And lavish stock, that scents the garden round : 



From the soft wing of vernal breezes shed, 



Anemones ; auriculas, enrich'd 



With shining meal o'er all their velvet leaves ; 



And full ranunculus, of glowing red. 



Then comes the tulip-race, where beauty plays 



Her idle freaks : from family diffused 



To family, as flies the father-dust. 



The varied colours run ; and while they break 



On the charm'd eye, th' exulting florist marks, 



With secret pride, the wonders of his hand. 



No gradual bloom is wanting ; from the bud, 



First boon of Spring, to Suminer's musky tribes : 



Nor hyacinths, of purest virgin white. 



Low-bent, and blushing inward; nor jonquils 



Of potent fragrance ; nor narcissus fair, 



As o'er the fabled fountain hanging still; 



Nor broad carnations, nor gay-spotted pinks ; 



Nor, shower'd from ev'ry bush, the damask rose. 



Infinite numbers, delicacies, smells. 



With hues on hues expression cannot paint. 



The breath of Nature and her endless bloom. 



THOISO^r. 



