THE GARDEN BY A. COWLEY 



VII Rose and 



But with no sense the garden does comply, m y P er * 



fectly 

 None courts, or flatters, as it does the eye: attired 



When the great Hebrew king did almost strain 

 Thewond'rous treasures of hiswealth and brain, 

 His royal southern guest to entertain; 



Though she on silver floors did tread, 

 With bright Assyrian carpets on them spread, 



To hide the metal's poverty. 



Though she look'd up to roofs of gold, 



And nought around her could behold, 

 But silk and rich embroidery, 

 And Babylonian tapestry, 



And wealthy Hiram's princely dye: 

 Though Ophir's starry stones met everywhere 



her eye; 



Though she herself, and hergayhostwere drest 

 With all the shining glories of the East ; 

 When lavish art her costly work had done, 



The honour and the prize of bravery 

 Was by the garden from the palace won ; 

 And every rose and lily there did stand 



Better attir'd by nature's hand: 

 The case thus judg'd against the king we see, 

 By one, that would not be so rich, though wiser 



far than he. 

 57 



