24 FLORA AND THALIA. 



THE CHAPLET. 



To thee, sweet Maid, I bring 

 The beauteous progeny of Spring : 

 In every breathing bloom I find 

 Some pleasing emblem of thy mind. 

 The blushes of that op'ning rose. 

 Thy tender modesty disclose : 

 These snow-white lilies of the vale, 

 Diffusing fragrance to the gale, 

 No ostentatious tints assume. 

 Vain of their exquisite perfume ; 

 Careless, and sweet, and mild, we see 

 In these a lovely type of thee. 

 On yonder gay enamell'd green. 

 That azure blossom smil'd serene ; 

 Not changing with the changeful sky, 

 Its faithless tints inconstant fly ; 

 For, unimpair'd by winds and rain, 

 I saw th' unalter'd hue remain ; 

 So were thy mild affections prov'd, 

 Thy heart, by fortune's frown unmov'd, 

 Pleas'd to administer relief, 

 Would solace and alleviate grief. 

 These flowers with genuine beauty glow 

 The tints from Nature's pencil flow. 



