FABLE IV.
The SENSITIVE PLANT.
I.
RARE plant, or flow’r, or nymph-like tree,
With human sense endu’d;
Why dost thou shrink beneath the touch,
And bear but to be view’d?
II.
Say does some Hamadryad chuse
In that green stem to live?
And to her highly favour’d shrine
This strong sensation give?
III.
Well for thy sake their ancient oaks
The wood-nymphs might forsake;
And in thy purer bosom with
Their lov’d abodes to make.
IV.
Yet why indignant from each hand
Alike dost thou retire?
Does ev’ry touch, replete with ill,
Alike thy hate inspire?
V.
Too cautious nymph! well might’st thou deign
To some thy breast unfold;
Sure those would worship at the touch,
Who love when they behold.
VI.
Shrunk in herself, with modest grace
The Plant thus fair reply’d,
“Whate’er my source, my maiden state
“But ill agrees with pride[10].
VII.
“In purity alone I joy;
“I seek no other fame,
“But that which from chaste wishes grows,
“And suits a virgin’s name.
VIII.
“Nymphs of the woods, the groves, and streams,
“Too oft have found the smart
“Of looser fires, which, once indulg’d,
“Will rankle in the heart.
IX.
“Me no rude touch shall e’er profane;
“That guard if once I leave,
“Of ev’ry virtue well I know
“Mankind would me bereave.
X.
“Nor this alone, know, curious youth,
“A thorny mail I own;
“Foe to the rash unthinking hand
“That violates my throne.
XI.
“And ev’n within this spotless breast
“Does deadly venom spring;
“So he that ravishes the sweets,
“May meet the mortal sting.
XII.
“Go then, and range from flow’r to flow’r,
“Amidst the gaudy train:
“But sacred be my homely plant,
“To bright-hair’d Vesta’s reign.
XIII.
“She ceas’d; nor I the flow’r profan’d,
“To chastity devote;
“But on the sand with rustic pen,
“This sacred moral wrote:
XIV.
The Nymph who slights strict virtue’s guard,
Shall quickly meet a snare;
And Pleasures, rais’d on Virtue’s bane,
Are fatal, as they’re fair.
Fab. V.
The Hawthorn & Primrose
Fab. VI.
The White Rose & Red