THE GREEN-HOUSE ROSE 
305 
And always, one. himself, the same, 
A being far above a name. 
Draw nearer, then, and freely pour 
Forth all thy light into that hour 
Which was crowned with His birth, 
And made heaven envy earth. 
Let not His birth-day clouded be 
By whom thou shinest and we see 
Charlotte Smith » 
A N early Rose, borne from her genial bower, 
^ Met the fond homage of admiring eyes, 
And while young Zephyr fanned the lovely flower. 
Nature and Art contended for the prize. 
Exulting Nature cried, “ I made thee fair, 
'Twas I that nursed thy tender buds in dew; 
I gave thee fragrance to perfume the air, 
And stole from beauty’s cheek her blushing hue.” 
“ Cease, goddess, cease,” indignant Art replied, 
“ And ere you triumph know that, but for me, 
This beauteous object of our mutual pride 
Had been no other than a vulgar tree. 
\ 
Mna 
