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.