I'jgi. elMina, a tale;. 14^ 



Elmina, or the Flower that never fades j a '^ale for the 

 young Ladies. 



A LONG while ago, in a country a great way off, there lived 

 a young princelsj called Elmina. She was beautiful, and 

 very amiable j thofe are always fo who are young and in- 

 nocent : but innocence and beauty very often difappear 

 with infancy, unlefs pains be taken to fix them in the heart. 

 The young princefs was an orphan j and a beneficent fairy 

 called Lindorine took care of her education. Elmina knew 

 not that fhe was a fairy ; but fhe loved Lindorine as a 

 friend, and honoured her as a mother. 



The princefs obtained permiflion one day to go and di- 

 vert herfelf with her companions on the green. Soon did 

 this joyous troop difperfe themfelves acrofs the mead in pur- 

 fuit of butterflies, and along the rivulet in fearch of 

 flowers. 



When they had gathered a great quantity of thefe, they 

 fat down under the fliade of a tree, to form bouquets, and 

 crowns and garlands \ and while they were engaged in this 

 agreeable amufement, fome told tales, whilfl: the reft liften- 

 ed : for young girls like to hear tales, and they never for- 

 get what they underftand. Elmina, lefs curious and lefs 

 talkative, fung while ftie arranged her flowers. Her friends 

 flopped to liften to her fong. 1 fuppofe the fairy had taught 

 it to her. Here it is : 



Lovely flow'rs that deck our meads. 

 Why, alas! art thou fo frail! 

 Ye flowr't that now adorn our heads, 

 Soon, focn, thou ev'ry one fhalt fail. 



The dew befprinkled rofe, at morn, 

 Spreads its frefh beauties to the day ; 

 E'er noon, its leaves are faded, torn. 

 And before night blown far away. 



The modeft vi'let hides its head ; 

 Its breath cafts fragrance all around ; 

 Anon it fades; foon it is dead ; 

 No perfume marks where 't may be found- 



Vol. ill. -j- X 



