I.
RICH in a thousand beauteous dyes,
The sweet Carnation stood;
While with a proud disdainful eye
The Southernwood she view’d.
II.
“Great is thy Pride,” the flow’r exclaim’d,
“To place thee near my side;
“For ev’n to grow in this retreat,
“Argues thy matchless pride.
III.
“Say, what art thou, thyself no flow’r,
“That dar’st intrude thee here;
“’Midst plants fit for a prince’s bow’r,
“Flow’rs fit for kings to wear?
IV.
“Whate’er I am,” the Plant reply’d,
“My post I well maintain;
“And chearful lend my needful aid,
“Where thine, alas! were vain.
V.
“Say, could thy flow’rs of brightest dye
“Infection’s force withstand?
“Ah! what could all thy beauties do,
“If plagues laid waste the land?
VI.
“Mean as I am, the task is mine,
“To purge th’ unwholesome air;
“To clear the brain, the blood refine,
“And seat
Hygeia[28] there.
VII.
“Nay farther still;—thyself shalt own
“How oft’ I’m join’d with thee;
“And thy bright blossoms brighter bloom,
“Because they’re plac’d by me.
VIII.
“Are not the various tints, which deck
“This scene, the Florist’s pride?
“Me then, imperious! venerate
“For pow’rs to thee deny’d.—
IX.
“Say, if each warbler of the grove
“Should chuse the self-same strain;
“Would the tir’d ear the concert please,
“Or wish to hear again?
X.
“Nature, who made us what we are,
“Did diff’rent gifts impart;
“And gave to all their portion due
“Of her all-plastic art.
XI.
“Contented then in diff’rent spheres
“Unenvying let us move:
“For this must still most grateful be
“To those who rule above.
XII.
“Me let thy sweetest fragrance grace,
“Ev’n from the early May;
“And thee will I in gardens fair
“With sov’reign balm repay.
XIII.
“For, thus united while we stand,
“We need to ask no more;
“While mutually we take and give,
“We double all our store.”
XIV.
Prudent she said;—her rival, pleas’d,
Adopts the smelling green;
And one for Use, and one for Show,
Together now are seen.
XV.
Learn hence, That various talents giv’n
Mean variously to bless:
And thus on mutual wants kind Heav’n
Builds mutual Happiness.