Fruits of Retirement Or, Miscellaneous Poems, Moral and Divine. Being Some Contemplations, Letters, &c. Written on a Variety of Subjects and Occasions. By Mary Mollineux ... To which is Prefixed, Some Account of the Author |
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A Parable to Cousin F. R.
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 | Fruits of Retirement |  |
112
A Parable to Cousin F. R.
On
Shiloh's fruitful Banks, in Valleys low,
A pleasant Garden flourish'd, where did grow
And spring, with early Dews, each curious Plant,
Some rich in Beauty, some in pleasant Scent:
Among the rest, a Lilly budded forth,
Which flourishing a while in Native Worth;
One time look'd out, t' observe and take a view
Of some strange Plants, which in the High-way grew,
To her a Scarlet Poppy then resorted,
And with fine Accademick Phrases courted;
Yea, did with florrid Subtilty invade
Her Innocence, and charmingly perswade
To quit that close Confinement, and become
An Object more admir'd and gazed on:
The Lilly seem'd to listen, till thereby
She was almost seiz'd by a Lethargy;
Scarcely regarding, that in unfenc'd Land
She might be nip'd by some rash careless Hand,
Or that she in the inclos'd Garden might
Flourish, secur'd from Storm both Day and Night;
And know the precious Dew of Hermon's Hill
Daily upon her tender Leaves distil.
A pleasant Garden flourish'd, where did grow
And spring, with early Dews, each curious Plant,
Some rich in Beauty, some in pleasant Scent:
Among the rest, a Lilly budded forth,
Which flourishing a while in Native Worth;
One time look'd out, t' observe and take a view
Of some strange Plants, which in the High-way grew,
To her a Scarlet Poppy then resorted,
And with fine Accademick Phrases courted;
Yea, did with florrid Subtilty invade
Her Innocence, and charmingly perswade
To quit that close Confinement, and become
An Object more admir'd and gazed on:
The Lilly seem'd to listen, till thereby
She was almost seiz'd by a Lethargy;
Scarcely regarding, that in unfenc'd Land
She might be nip'd by some rash careless Hand,
Or that she in the inclos'd Garden might
Flourish, secur'd from Storm both Day and Night;
And know the precious Dew of Hermon's Hill
Daily upon her tender Leaves distil.
A Neighbouring Plant obeserving this, dismay'd,
Unto the Master of the Garden said,
(In Sympathizing Bowels) Dearest Lord,
Be pleas'd to send thy pure prevailing Word,
To guard thy Lilly; let it not remain
Without thy Fence: Ah, with thy early Rain
Bedew and Quicken! Let it know, that there
Is Blasting and Decay, but Safety here
Within thy Walls, which are Salvation round
About thy Garden, for 'tis holy Ground.
Unto the Master of the Garden said,
(In Sympathizing Bowels) Dearest Lord,
Be pleas'd to send thy pure prevailing Word,
113
Without thy Fence: Ah, with thy early Rain
Bedew and Quicken! Let it know, that there
Is Blasting and Decay, but Safety here
Within thy Walls, which are Salvation round
About thy Garden, for 'tis holy Ground.
3d of 7th Mo. 1683.
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