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The botanic garden, a poem

In two parts. Part I. Containing The economy of Vegetation, Part II. The Loves of the plants. With philosophical notes. The fourth edition. [by Erasmus Darwin]
Darwin, Erasmus (1731-1802)
  
[epigraph]

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[section]
  
TO THE AUTHOR OF THE POEM ON THE LOVES OF THE PLANTS.
  
TO Dr. DARWIN.
  
TO Dr. DARWIN.
  
TO Dr. DARWIN.
  
Address to the River Derwent, on whose Banks the Author of the Botanic Garden resides.
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THE BOTANIC GARDEN.
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PART I. CONTAINING THE ECONOMY OF VEGETATION
 I. 
CANTO I.
 I. 
I.
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II.
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III.
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IV.
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V.
 VI. 
VI.
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VII.
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3.
 VIII. 
VIII.
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X.
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XI.
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XII.
  
[section]
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CANTO II.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
I.
 II. 
II.
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III.
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IV.
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V.
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3.
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4.
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VI.
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2.
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VII.
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VIII.
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IX.
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X.
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XI.
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CANTO III.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
I.
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II.
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III.
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IV.
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V.
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2.
 VI. 
VI.
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VII.
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VIII.
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IX.
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X.
 XI. 
XI.
 XII. 
XII.
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XIII.
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XIV.
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CANTO IV.
  
[prologue]
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I.
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II.
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III.
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2.
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IV.
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VIII.
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X.
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XI.
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XII.
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XIII.
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XIV.
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1.
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2.
 XV. 
XV.
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PART II. CONTAINING THE LOVES OF THE PLANTS
 I. 
CANTO I.
 II. 
CANTO II.
 III. 
CANTO III.
 IV. 
CANTO IV.

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X.

“Nymphs! you first taught to pierce the secret caves
Of humid earth, and lift her ponderous waves;
163

Bade with quick stroke the sliding piston bear
The viewless columns of incumbent air;—
Press'd by the incumbent air the floods below,
Through opening valves in foaming torrents flow,
Foot after foot with lessen'd impulse move,
And rising seek the vacancy above.—
So when the Mother, bending o'er his charms,
Clasps her fair nurseling in delighted arms;
Throws the thin kerchief from her neck of snow,
And half unveils the pearly orbs below;
With sparkling eye the blameless Plunderer owns
Her soft embraces, and endearing tones,
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Seeks the salubrious fount with opening lips,
Spreads his inquiring hands, and smiles, and sips.
“Connubial Fair! whom no fond transport warms
To lull your infant in maternal arms;
Who, bless'd in vain with tumid bosoms, hear
His tender wailings with unfeeling ear;
The soothing kiss and milky rill deny,
To the sweet pouting lip, and glistening eye!—
Ah! what avails the cradle's damask roof,
The eider bolster, and embroider'd woof!—
Oft hears the gilded couch unpity'd plains,
And many a tear the tassel'd cushion stains!
No voice so sweet attunes his cares to rest,
So soft no pillow, as his Mother's breast!—
—Thus charm'd to sweet repose, when twilight hours
Shed their soft influence on celestial bowers,
The Cherub, Innocence, with smile divine
Shuts his white wings, and sleeps on Beauty's shrine.
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