54 FABLES OF FLORA. 
FABLE XV. 
The Flaxflower and the Dahlia. 
Over a palace-garden wall 
A regal Dahlia, bright and tall, 
With proud assurance gazed; 
Below it, in a garden plot 
That joined a laborer’s rustic, cot, 
A Flaxflower, happy in its lot, 
Its head serenely raised. 
1 1 pity thee,’ the Dahlia said, 
With scornful tossing of its head, 
‘ Thy lot is so obscure ! 
Yet Nature never could design 
A form so pitiful as thine 
In any courtly place to shine — 
I pity thee, I’m sure! 
1 Look up, if thou canst dare to raise 
Thy shrinking eye to meet my gaze — 
Look up, and in my face 
Behold how richly Nature dowers 
With every charm her favorite flowers! 
On me, especially, she showers 
Surpassing wealth and grace ! ’ 
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