6 FABLES OF FLORA. 
But Herrick says, that 
‘As Cupid danced among 
The gods, he down the nectar flung; 
Which on the white Rose being shed, 
Made it, forever after, red.’ 
FABLE I. 
The Garden Rose and the Wild Rose. 
‘ As Dee, whose current, free from stain, 
Glides fair o’er Merioneth’s plain, 
By mountains forced his way to steer 
Along- the lake of Pimble Mere, 
Darts swiftly through the stagnant mass, 
His waters tremble as they pass, 
And leads his lucid waves below, 
Unmixed, unsullied, as they flow; 
So clear through life’s tumultuous tide, 
So free could thought and fancy glide; 
Could Hope as sprightly hold her course, 
As first she left her native source, 
Unsought in her romantic cell, \ 
The keeper of her dreams might dwell. 
But, ah! they will not, will not last! 
When life’s first, fairy stage is past, 
The glowing hand of Hope is cold; 
And Fancy lives not to be old. 
Darker and darker all before, 
We turn the former prospect o’er, 
