THE GARDEN BY A. COWLEY 



Though she refus'd Apollo's suit ; In a 



_, 1,, i Salonian 



Even she, that chaste and virgin tree, garden 



Now wonders at herself, to see 

 That she's a mother made, and blushes in her 

 fruit. 



XI 



Methinks I see great Diocletian walk 

 In the Salonian garden's noble shade, 

 Which by his own imperial hands was made : 

 I see him smile (methinks) as he does talk 

 With the ambassadors, who come in vain, 



T' entice him to a throne again. 

 If I, my friends (said he) should to you show 

 All the delights, which in these gardens grow ; 

 'Tis likelier much, that you should with me stay, 

 Than 'tis, that you should carry me away : 

 And trust me not, my friends, if every day, 



I walk not here with more delight, 

 Than ever, after the most happy fight, 

 In triumph to the capitol I trod, 

 To thank the gods, and to be thought, myself 

 almost a god. 



