FABLE VII.
The CROCUS.
I.
“SAY, beauteous flow’r, whose burnish’d leaves
“With Spring’s own livery glow:
“In these bleak months, why dost thou chuse
“T’ adorn a waste of snow?
II.
“Say, dost thou grudge to summer-skies,
“That bloom divinely bright:
“Or, are thy beauties clearer seen,
“Through this thin Robe of White?
III.
“The Snow-drop, thy companion fair,
“As well thy foil might prove,
“And both might bloom in seasons sweet,
“And far from hence remove.
IV.
“To Summer’s gayer months benign;
“Should’st thou transfer thy reign,
“Thy beauties still would brighter glow,
“And doubly grace the plain.—”
V.
I said:—the lovely smiling flow’r,
The beauty of its race;
And friendly to the sons of men,
Reply’d with decent grace:
VI.
“Nature’s great book before thee set:
“She blames thee not to scan
“Her works on every side display’d,
“The fit employ of man.
VII.
“When Spring and Summer glad the earth,
“Ten thousand beauties bloom;
“And various flow’rs of brightest hue,
“Diffuse a rich perfume.
VIII.
“Autumn of fruits her tribute brings,
“With, yellow harvests crown’d;
“Then laugh the hills and vales, and meads
“With richest plenty crown’d.
IX.
“Winter, at length, with gloomy brow,
“Comes on to close the year;
“When flow’rs and fruits, and all their race,
“Almost extinct appear.
X.
“Yet still some few the gracious Pow’rs
“Permit of these to bloom:
“Nor heap alike all Flora’s race,
“In one remorseless tomb.
XI.
“And soon as to the wat’ry Signs,
“The Sun retreats again;
“Then she my flamy dyes awakes,
“And bids me deck the plain.
XII.
“Nor less my worth because ’midst snows,
“My head I early rear;
“My flow’r still fresh and lively blooms,
“As at the closing year.
XIII.
“And know, when Autumn’s Sun prevails,
“My kindred flow’rs arise;
“In forms which heav’nly pow’rs might praise,
“And scent the ambient skies[14].
XIV.
“These ev’ry dismal gloom dispel;
“Which mis’ry can impart,
“And joy and gladness still inspire,
“And harmonize the heart.
XV.
“Meanwhile my earlier station here,
“(Health’s harbinger) I keep,
“To glad the sad and cloudy days;
“When Spring’s soft Zephyrs sleep.
XVI.
“So, in the Winter of his days,
“Chear thou thy drooping friend;
“His sorrows sooth, his griefs assuage,
“And prompt assistance lend.
XVII.
“So, when his fate and fortune lour,
“Thy better aid impart;
“And with thy fortune’s warmer ray,
“Revive his dying heart.
XVIII.
She said;—the moral well became
The sweet, propitious flow’r;
I mark’d the lore with heedful mind,
And own’d fair friendship’s pow’r.