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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.
 V. 
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 VI. 
VI.
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VII.
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3.
 VIII. 
VIII.
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XII.
  
[section]
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CANTO II.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
I.
 II. 
II.
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III.
 IV. 
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.
 VII. 
VII.
 VIII. 
VIII.
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XI.
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CANTO III.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
I.
 II. 
II.
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III.
 IV. 
IV.
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V.
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1.
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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.
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XI.
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XII.
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XIII.
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XIV.
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CANTO IV.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
I.
 II. 
II.
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III.
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1.
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2.
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IV.
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2.
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VII.
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VIII.
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X.
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XI.
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XII.
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2.
 XIII. 
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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1.

“Sylphs! if with morn destructive Eurus springs,
O, clasp the Harebel with your velvet wings;
Screen with thick leaves the Jasmine as it blows,
And shake the white rime from the shuddering Rose;
Whilst Amaryllis turns with graceful ease
Her blushing beauties, and eludes the breeze.—
Sylphs! if at noon the Fritillary droops,
With drops nectareous hang her nodding cups;
232

Thin clouds of gossamer in air display,
And hide the vale's chaste Lily from the ray;
Whilst Erythrina o'er her tender flower
Bends all her leaves, and braves the sultry hour;—
Shield, when cold Hesper sheds his dewy light,
Mimosa's soft sensations from the night;
Fold her thin foliage, close her timid flowers,
And with ambrosial slumbers guard her bowers;
O'er each warm wall while Cerea flings her arms,
And wastes on night's dull eye a blaze of charms.
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