158 OP PROGNOSTICKS. CHAP. 4. 6. 



prognosticks of the Seasons which are recorded 

 among his works on natural history. I shall 

 mention a few of these as subjects for future 

 observation; though, as far as my own ex- 

 perience goes, the cases of exception are nearly 



Galantha, the fair, in a robe of white, 



More modest than colourless snow, 

 Was the first who footed, left hand and right, 



On the frolic fantastical toe : 

 Daffodilla, the next, was a gaudy Miss, 



With a yellow vest and a green gown ; 

 She stoop'd and she gave Hyacinthia a kiss, 



And nodded her jealous head down ! 



For she view'd her fair rival step up by her side, 



Scylla gracefully vested in blue, 

 Whom Narcissus would surely have pick'd for his bride, 



When bathed in the morning dew ; 

 But she gave place, in the wavering round, 



To a nymph of great power to lure, 

 Amaryllis, whom all the fresh vallies resound 



With Euphonia of music pure ! 

 Then Tulipa, gaudy coquette, kept rule, 



Who sets such a price on her features, 

 And dresses for every holiday fool, 



Who capriciously pays for such creatures. 

 Silene the next, so sweetly perfumed, 



Stole nightly my bosom along ;* 

 And was follow'd by Rosa, who blushing assumed 



Preeminence over the throng ! 



" The Silene Noctiflora. 



