FABLES OF l LOVVLKS. 
269 
“ Deluded flower ! thy friendly screen, 
That hides thee from the noon-tide ray. 
And mocks thy passion to be seen. 
Prolongs thy transitory day. 
“ But kindly deeds by scorn repaid, 
No more by virtue need be done, 
I here withdraw my dusky shade. 
And yield thee to thy darling sun.” 
Fierce on the flower the scorching beam 
With all its might of glory fell; 
The flower exulting caught the gleam, 
And lent its leaves a bolder swell. 
Expanded by the searching fire, 
The curling leaves the breast disclosed. 
The mantling bloom was painted higher. 
And every latent charm exposed. 
But when the sun was sliding low. 
And ev’ning came with dews so cold. 
The wanton beauty ceas’d to blow. 
And sought its bended leaves to fold. 
Those leaves, alas ! no more would close,—• 
Relax’d, exhausted, sick’ning, pale. 
They left her to a parent’s woes. 
And fled before the rising gale. 
