10 THE DELIGHTS OF GARDENS 



It does, like grace, the fallen tree restore, 

 To its blest state of Paradise before. 

 Who would not joy to see his conquering hand 

 O'er all the vegetable world command ? 



And the wild giants of the wood receive 



What law he's pleas'd to give. 

 He bids th' ill-natur'd crab produce 

 The gentler apple's winy juice, 

 The golden fruit that worthy is 

 Of Galatea's purple kiss : 

 He does the savage hawthorn teach 

 To bear the medlar and the pear : 

 He bids the rustic plum to rear 

 A noble trunk, and be a peach. 

 Even Daphne's coyness he doth mock, 

 And weds the cherry to her stock. 

 Though she refus'd Apollo's suit, 



Even she, that chaste and virgin tree," 



Now wonders at herself to see 

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



Methinks I see great Dioclesian 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 th' 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. 



