THE ENCHANTED PLANTS. 213 
FABLE II, 
SCANDAL, 
OE THE PAINTED LADY SWEET-PEA. 
Gay Anemone, daughter of Ar^ 
(Her ancestors sprung from the wood) 
To Ranunculus, friend of her heart. 
Chattered scandal as fast as she could. 
One evening the subject she chose, 
Was peculiarly painful to me ; 
For my favourite next to the Rose, 
Is the pink-and-white sweet-scented Pea. 
Look there !” said the fanciful flower, 
(By whimsical botanists dressed) 
How yon vain youthful plant of an hour, 
Smiles and flaunts like a beauty professed. 
Though with us in the garden displayed,' 
Unimproved her corollas remain. 
Still blushing, unformed, unarrayed. 
Like her cousins who bask on the plain.” 
