Jenks's Portland Gazette

POETRY.

INTRODUCTORY FABLE.

From the curious fable entitled The Enchanted Plants,
To beguile the lonely hours,
In thought I've animated flowers,
Enlivening thus my walk:
And though no Botanist professed,
My reasoning powers have shrewdly guessed
And long to hear them talk.

It chanced one lonely day in June,
Just at the midnight hour,
I spoke these words aloud:

When from a pansy, with surprise,
I saw a gradual mist arise
From out a silver cloud.

Forth from the glittering veil, behold,
An instant trappings green and gold,
A fairy figure peeping;
Her wand of cowslip's flame seemed
And on her head like diamonds beamed
A coif with dew-drops hung.

Her silken pinions as she flew,
Seemed by their size and purple hue,
Spells of the flower she left;
She soared aloft, and touched my ear,
While I half pleased, half dead with fear,
Remained of speech bereft.

Then from a small melodious tone,
Before to mortal wight unknown,
Struck my enraptured ear,
"Fie, ra," it murmured, "grant thy prayer,
Long have her treasures been thy care,
Receive thy recompense."

This said, she vanished from my sight,
And since, with ever new delight,
I tend my fragrant borders;
No solitude exists for me,
Since every flower and shrub and tree,
Society affords.