

Compact the spot, it prov'd her happiest pow'r; 



She knew 'twas good, and bless'd each opening flower. 



See ! who that loves from Jealousy is free? 



Flora now felt it— tho' a Goddess she. 



All " out of doors" she eyed with fond delight; 



(For all her fragrant children were in sight:) 



Her Pink, her Rose, her Hyacinths were there, 

 Shedding delightful odours through the air. 



Touch'd by the sweet enchantment of the scene, 

 She deign'd a visit to the charms within: 

 The Cot she enter'd ; there beheld her flowers, 

 Tho' cropt, still breathing all her balmy powers : 

 Lovely 'midst thorns her Brier, and Roses gay, 

 And many a petal charming in decay. 



Yet as around she cast her raptur'd eye, 



Bright'ning the walls, she saw a fresh supply: 



Some gifts of yesterday began to fade, 



But sweets new-pluck'd were blooming in their stead. 



u All these," she cried, " are mine; and this fair spot 



44 Shall henceforth boast the name of Flora's Cot. 



44 This Renealmia, this lov'd Snowdrop too, 

 " Display my magic Touch and matchless Hue; 

 " This tender Sensitive, this Aloe, sweet, 

 " Cereus and Cyclamen all Art defeat. 



44 Yes, mine are all the lovely train I see, 



44 Unrivall'd Flora's beauteous Family." 



Self-charm'd she paus'd, — but soon, advancing near, 

 Art's pow'rful Magic on the Walls appear; 

 Another Flora seems to breathe and glow, 

 Lotus unfold, and love -sick Kalmia blow. 

 The Goddess gaz'd, and mad'ning with the smart, 

 Felt the fierce anguish of a Jealous Heart. 



" And shall a mortal Pencil thus presume," 

 She cried, " to emulate my heav'nly Bloom ? 

 " Shall my own offspring thus untimely die, 

 " And Art's frail progeny thus flourish nigh? 

 " Shall these erect a Temple of their own, 

 44 And I ascend a poor divided Throne? 



" Forbid it Nature! " Nature rose to view: 



To meet whose arms the angry Goddess flew: 

 Then told her tale, then pointed to the flowers 

 Whereon proud Art had lavish'd all her powers: 

 Till more indignant, as she more survey 'd 

 The imitation nice of light and shade, 



Th' 







