FLORA AND THALIA. 



THE LAVENDER AND THE POPPY. 



(A Fable in imitation of Lang-home.) 



A PoppT, clothed in scarlet pride, 



Once blossomed 'midst a garden's bowers : 



Filled with conceit, he pertly cried, 



One morn to all the neighb'ring flowers, — 



" Ye vile-clad plants — ye rabble, how 

 Dare you approach thus near to me, 



And do not all most humbly bow. 



When garments such as mine you see 1" 



The Lavender grew close beside, 



Of modest and retiring hue, 

 (For such is merit,) and replied. 



To him whose worthlessness she knew, — 



" Base Fop ! 'tis thus I always find 

 The proud, the foolish, and the vain ; 



All that they want in heart or mind, 

 They try by outward pomp to gain. 



" The blossoms, of which now you boast, 

 Soon shall decay upon the ground ; 



Another day, or two, at most, 



Where will their gaudy tints be found ] 



