I 
VANITY. 
A Lilac, Flora's darling child, 
The shrubbery’s early pride. 
In magic accents sweetly wild, 
With exultation cried, 
<( Avaunt from me, ye tardy flowers 
That grovel near the ground, 
Compelled to wait for sultry hours. 
In verdant fetters bound ! 
u While I, precursor oft of May, 
In orient splendor dressed, 
Make the cold face of nature gay, 
Her first-born most caressed. 
(( Warm with benevolence, I bloom, 
Pride of the embowering shade, 
Or pluck’d, the gorgeous dome perfume 
Or deck yon matchless maid. 
238 
