ROSES. 77 



Thus charged, they seek the honor'd shade, 



Where lived and died the spotless maid, 

 On a soft couch of turf the body lay : 

 Th' approaching deities passed all around, 



Prepared the sacred rites to pay 



In silence, and with awe profound. 

 Flora thrice bow'd, and thus was heard to pray : 



<{ Jove, mighty Jove, whom all adore, 



Exert thy great creating power ! 

 Let this fair corpse be mortal clay no more: 

 Transform it to a tree, to bear a beauteous flower." 



Scarce had the goddess spoke, when, see, 

 The nymph's extended limbs the form of branches wear, 

 Behold the wond'rous change, the fragrant tree! 



To leaves was turn'd her flowing hair, 

 And rich diffused perfumes regaled the wanton air. 



* 



Heaven! what new charm, what sudden light, 

 Improves the grot, and entertains the sight! 

 A sprouting bud begins the tree t' adorn 

 The large, the sweet vermillion flower is born! 

 The goddess thrice on the fair infant breathed, 



To spread it into life, and to convey 

 The fragrant soul, and every grace bequeathed, 

 To make the vegetable princess gay. 

 Then kiss'd it thrice ; the general silence broke, 

 And thus in loud rejoicing accents spoke: 



" Ye Flowers, at my command, attendant here 

 Pay homage, and your sovereign ROSE revere! 

 No sorrow on your drooping leaves be seen, 



Let all be proud of such a queen, 



So fit the floral crown to wear, 

 To glorify the day, and grace the youthful year!" 



Thus speaking, she the new-born fav'rite crowned ; 



The transformation was complete: 



The deities with songs the queen of flowers did greet. 

 Soft flutes and tuneful harps were heard to sound, 

 While now to heaven, well pleased, the goddess flies 

 With her bright train, and reascends the skies. 



