950 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



Branca-ursi, or Bear's-breech. This Dryden has trans- 

 lated Bear's-foot, which is a very different plant ; a species 

 of Helleborus. 



As this last passage applies, in a general as well as par- 

 ticular manner, to the work now before us, we will quote 

 some lines from Dryden's translation. It immortalizes an 

 old acquaintance of the poet's, who was a gardener : 



" Now did I not so near my labours end, 

 Strike sail,, and hastening to the harbour tend, 

 My song to flowery gardens might extend. 

 To teach the vegetable arts, to sing 

 The Paestan roses, and their double spring ; 

 How succory drinks the running streams, and how 

 Green beds of parsley near the river grow ; 

 How cucumbers along the surface creep, 

 With crooked bodies, and with bellies deep. 

 The late narcissus, and the winding trail 

 Of bear's-foot, myrtles green, and ivy pale : 

 For where with stately towers Tarentum stands, 

 And deep Galaesus soaks the yellow sands, 

 I chanced an old Corycian swain to know, 

 Lord of few acres and those barren too, 

 Unfit for sheep or vines, and more unfit to sow : 

 Yet, labouring well his little spot of ground, 

 Some scattering pot-herbs here and there he found, 

 Which cultivated with his daily care, 

 And bruised with vervain, were his frugal fare. 

 Sometimes white lilies did their leaves afford, 

 With wholesome poppy-flowers to mend his homely board : 

 For, late returning home, he supped at ease : 

 The little of his own, because his own, did please. 

 To quit his care, he gathered first of all 

 In spring the roses, apples in the fall : 

 And when cold winter split the rocks in twain, 

 And ice the running rivers did restrain, 

 He stripped the bear's-foot of its leafy growth, 

 And calling western winds, accused the spring of sloth. 

 He therefore first among the swains was found 

 To reap the product of his laboured ground, 

 And squeeze the combs with golden liquor crowned. 

 His limes were first in flower ; his lofty pines 

 With friendly shade secured his tender vines^ 



