430 PROGRESS OF A NATURALIST. 



Thy votarist can his errors see, 

 And, FLORA, owns his slights to thee; 

 E'en he could once unsteady prove, 

 A wand'rer from his fair one's love. 



In silent ev'ning's balmy hour, 

 He sought Phalaena in her shady bower ; 

 And oft his morning walks prolong, 

 To hear the syren Sylvia's song ; 

 And then he'd seek the azure main, 

 Where dwelt fair Doris and her train. 



The mystic nymph by Nilus' shore*, 

 From thrice-fam'd Hermes named of yore, 

 With meteor flames beguiled his heart, 

 Seduced the man, and ruled by art. 

 And as her veil she coyly drew, 

 Combined beauties met his view ; 

 But soon the subtle lady fled, 

 To beam her lights on Davie's head 

 And other fancies too there are 

 Which turn'd him from his early fair, 

 Yet, not forgetful of the joy 

 Thy smiles in spring-time gave the boy, 

 He seeks these little wand'rings o'er, 

 His former love, nor quits her more. 



* This is rather a shadowy fair one yet the Egyptian Minerva 

 has ever been considered as the patroness of the liberal arts, the 

 Hermetic, or mystic science; and then we have such veracious 

 relations as those of Borrichius and Zosimus, as quoted by Scali- 

 ger, that a son of heaven was expelled his seat For instructing an 

 earthly nymph in metallurgy and alchemical secrets. 



