FLORA AND THALIA. 191 



THE MARYGOLD. 



Whex with a serious musing, I behold 



The grateful and obsequious marygoid, 



How duly, every morning, she displays 



Her open breast when Phcebus spreads his rays ; 



How she observes him in his daily walk, 



Still bending tow'rds him her small slender stalk ; 



How, when he down declines, she droops and mourns. 



Bedewed as 'twere with tears, till he returns ; 



And how she veils her flowers when he is gone, 



As if she scorned to be looked upon 



By an inferior eye ; or did contemn 



To wait upon a meaner light than him : 



When this I meditate, methinks the flowers 



Have spirits far more generous than ours. 



And give us fair examples to despise, 



The servile fawnings and idolatries 



Wherewith we court these earthly things below, 



Which merit not the service we bestow. 



But O, my God ! though grovelling I appear 



Upon the ground, and have a rooting here 



Which hales me downward, yet in my desire 



To that which is above me I aspire, 



And all my best affections, I profess 



To him that is the Sun of Righteousness. 



