226 THE ENCHANTED PLANTS. 



Like mortals, too, of various taste, 



Some plants are frail, and some are chaste, 



Some with affection blessed ; 

 The Hedysarum loves the sun, 

 Coquets it till his race is run, 



Then nods, and sinks to rest. 



While the Mimosa, modest maid, 

 Even at the zephyr's breath dismayed, 



The virgin's fear portrays; 

 And Lupins, whom their buds delight, 

 Who shield them from the damps of night, 



Deserve a mother's praise. 



But scandal says (what won't she say ?) 

 That every flower and plant is gay, 



By nature's precepts trained ; 

 But lest my muse censorious prove, 

 I only sing their mortal love, 



Too pure to be arraigned. 



At six, one balmy summer morn, 

 To hail June's perfumes newly born, 

 I through the shrubbery strayed 



