76 ROSES. 



Among the rival flowers will grow ? 

 The vilest thistle that infests the plain, 



Will think his tawdry painted pride 



Deserves the crown, and, if denied. 

 Perhaps with traitor plots molest your reign." 



" Vain are your fears/' Flora replied; 



-" 'Tis fix'd, arid hear how I'll the cause decide* 



** Deep in a venerable wood, 



Where oak,s, with vocal skill indued, 

 -Did woad'rous oracles of old impait, 

 Beneath a little hill's inclining side, 



A grotto 's seen, where Nature's art 

 Is exercised in all her smiling pride. 



" Retired in this sweet grassy cell, 



A lovely wood-nymph once did dwell: 

 She always pleased; for more than mortal fire 

 Shone in her eyes, and did her charms inspire, 

 A dryad bore the mustrious nymph, a sylvan was her sire. 



" Chaste, wise, devout, she still obey'd, 

 "With humble zeal, Heaven's dread commands, 



TO ev'ry action ask'd our aid, 



And oft before our altars pray'd. 

 tPure was her heart, aud undefiled her hands. 



" She 's dead, and from her sweet remains 



The wond'rous mixture I would take, 

 'This much desired, this perfect flower to make; 



Assist, and thus, with our transforming pains, 

 We'll diguify the garden beds, and grace ourfav'rite plains." 



Th' applauding deities with pleasure heard, 



And for the ? grateful work prepared. 



A busy face Priapus wore; 



Vert unm us of .the party too, 

 From various sweets th' exhaling spirits drew ; 

 While in full canisters Pomona bore 



Of richest frw.it a plenteous store; ! 

 And Vesta promised wond'rous things to do. 



Gay Venus led a lively train 

 Of Smiles and Graces; the plump god of wine 

 From clusters did the flowing nectar strain, 

 >nd fili'd large goblets with his juice divine. 



