FABLE XIX.
THE LAPLAND ROSE.
I.
A wand’ring youth, by Fortune led
To bleakest northern shores,
Beyond the track of Russian wilds,
Where Lapland’s tempest roars;
II.
Who twice the Arctic circle pass’d,
And view’d bright Hecla’s[20]
flame;
At length, through many a waste of snow,
To fair Niemi[21]
came.
III.
And thence where Tenglio[22]
rolls his stream,
Survey’d the prospect round;
Beheld its banks with verdure deck’d,
And blushing roses crown’d.
IV.
Stuck with the scene, a while he paus’d,
As lost in sweet delight;
And ey’d the fairest of the train
In native beauty bright.
V.
Yet, as he view’d the stranger flow’r,
He deeply musing cries,
“How strange that beauties such as thine
“’Midst climes like these should rise!
VI.
“Thee no bright youth nor gentle fair
“Alas! shall e’er caress;
“Nor splendid southern suns shall warm,
“Nor genial gales shall bless!”
VII.
On hollow winds, o’er distant plains,
The murm’ring accents flew;
Niemi’s mountains caught the sound,
Which from the lake his shadows drew.
VIII.
And now before the youth confess’d
The Genius of the clime
Appear’d; who thus instructive spoke,
In awful strains sublime;
IX.
“Fond youth, who view’st that beauteous flow’r,
“So luckless in thy fight!
“Forbear to mourn her lonely state,
“Whom these rude climes delight.
X.
“Unrival’d here she sweetly blooms,
“And scents the ambient air;
“Nor deems her brightest beauties lost,
“While foster’d by my care.
XI.
“Nor envies she the gaudy tribe
“Beneath the southern skies,
“That bloom in some luxurious bow’rs,
“Where mingled sweets arise.
XII.
“The child of bounteous Nature! here
“She bids her bloom dispense
“Fresh sweets, the trav’ler’s soul to chear,
“And glad his weary’d sense.
XIII.
“Her no bright youth nor gaudy fair
“Shall court but to destroy;
“But Lapland’s simple swains shall view,
“With unaffected joy;
XIV.
“And, oft’ as yon’ returning Sun
“Illumes our northern sphere,
“Well pleas’d shall trace these flow’ry banks,
“And pay their homage here.
XV.
“Let others seek where spacious meads,
“Or painted gardens glow;
“Despise my solitary flow’rs,
“And live the slaves of show.
XVI.
“But know, high Heav’n in desart wastes
“Can bid rich Spring to bloom;
“And waken Nature into life,
“From Winter’s dreary tomb.
XVII.
“The gracious Pow’r who rules on high,
“Bids all his blessings share;
“And ev’ry creature of his hand
“Is govern’d by his care.
XVIII.
“Convinc’d that Providence will thus
“For all alike provide;
“Learn to restrain Affliction’s tears,
“And check the boast of Pride.”