Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

Once, on a solemn Festal Day
Held by th'Immortals in the Skies,
FLORA had summon'd all the Deities
That rule o'er Gardens, or survey
The Birth of Greens and springing Flow'rs,
And thus address'd the Genial Pow'rs.

Ye shining Graces of my Courtly Train,
The Cause of this Assembly know!
In Sov'reign Majesty I reign
O'er the gay flow'ry Universe below;
Yet, my increasing Glory to maintain,
A Queen I'll chuse, with spotless Honour fair,
The delegated Crown to wear.

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Let me your Counsel and Assistance ask,
T'accomplish this momentous Task.

The Deities that stood around,
At first return'd a murm'ring Sound;
Then said, Fair Goddess, do you know
The factious Feuds this must create,
What jealous Rage and mutual Hate
Among the Rival Flow'rs will grow?
The vilest Thistle that infests the Plain,
Will think his tawdry painted Pride
Deserves the Crown; and, if deny'd,
Perhaps with Traitor-Plots molest your Reign.
Vain are your Fears, FLORA reply'd,
'Tis fix'd—and hear how I'll the Cause decide.

Deep in a Venerable Wood,
Where Oaks, with Vocal Skill endu'd,
Did wondrous Oracles of old impart,
Beneath a little Hill's inclining Side
A Grotto's seen, where Nature's Art
Is exercis'd in all her smiling Pride.
Retir'd in this sweet grassy Cell,
A Lovely Wood-Nymph once did dwell.
She always pleas'd; for more than mortal Fire

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Shone in her Eyes, and did her Charms inspire;
A Dryad bore the beauteous Nymph, a Sylvan was her Sire.

Chaste, wise, devout, she still obey'd
With humble Zeal Heav'n's dread Commands,
To ev'ry Action ask'd our Aid,
And oft before our Altars pray'd;
Pure was her Heart, and undefil'd her Hands.
She's dead—and from her sweet Remains
The wondrous Mixture I wou'd take,
This much-desir'd, this perfect Flow'r to make.
Assist, and thus with our transforming Pains,
We'll dignify the Garden-Beds, and grace our fav'rite Plains.

Th'applauding Deities with Pleasure heard,
And for the grateful Work prepar'd.
A busy Face the God of Gardens wore;
Vertumnus of the Party too,
From various Sweets th'exhaling Spirits drew;
While, in full Canisters, Pomona bore
Of richest Fruits a plenteous Store;
And Vesta promis'd wondrous Things to do.
Gay Venus led a lively Train
Of Smiles and Graces: The plump God of Wine

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From Clusters did the flowing Nectar strain,
And fill'd large Goblets with his Juice divine.
Thus charg'd, they seek the honour'd Shade
Where liv'd and dy'd the spotless Maid.
On a soft Couch of Turf the Body lay;
Th'approaching Deities press'd all around,
Prepar'd the Sacred Rites to pay
In Silence, and with Awe profound.
FLORA thrice bow'd, and thus was heard to pray.
Jove! mighty Jove! whom all adore;
Exert thy Great Creative Pow'r!
Let this Fair Corpse be Mortal Clay no more;
Transform it to a Tree, to bear a beauteous Flow'r—
Scarce had the Goddess spoke; when see!
The Nymph's extended Limbs the Form of Branches wear:
Behold the wondrous Change, the fragrant Tree!
To Leaves was turn'd her flowing Hair;
And rich diffus'd Perfumes regal'd the wanton Air.

Heav'ns! what new Charm, what sudden Light
Improves the Grot, and entertains the Sight!
A sprouting Bud begins the Tree t'adorn;
The large, the sweet Vermilion Flow'r is born!
The Goddess thrice on the fair Infant breath'd,
To spread it into Life, and to convey

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The fragrant Soul, and ev'ry Charm bequeath'd,
To make the Vegetable Princess gay;
Then kiss'd it thrice: The gen'ral Silence broke,
And thus in loud rejoicing Accents spoke.

Ye Flow'rs at my Command attendant here,
Pay Homage, and your Sov'reign ROSE revere!
No Sorrow on your drooping Leaves be seen;
Let all be proud of such a Queen,
So fit the Floral Crown to wear,
To glorify the Day, and grace the youthful Year!

Thus speaking, She the new-born Fav'rite crown'd;
The Transformation was compleat;
The Deities with Songs the Queen of Flow'rs did greet:
Soft Flutes and tuneful Harps were heard to sound;
While now to Heav'n the well-pleas'd Goddess flies
With her bright Train, and reascends the Skies.