FABLE VII. The CROCUS.

I. “SAY, beauteous flow’r, whose burnish’d leaves “With Spring’s own livery glow: “In these bleak months, why dost thou chuse “T’ adorn a waste of snow? II. “Say, dost thou grudge to summer-skies, “That bloom divinely bright: “Or, are thy beauties clearer seen, “Through this thin Robe of White? III. “The Snow-drop, thy companion fair, “As well thy foil might prove, “And both might bloom in seasons sweet, “And far from hence remove. IV. “To Summer’s gayer months benign; “Should’st thou transfer thy reign, “Thy beauties still would brighter glow, “And doubly grace the plain.—” V. I said:—the lovely smiling flow’r, The beauty of its race; And friendly to the sons of men, Reply’d with decent grace: VI. “Nature’s great book before thee set: “She blames thee not to scan “Her works on every side display’d, “The fit employ of man. VII. “When Spring and Summer glad the earth, “Ten thousand beauties bloom; “And various flow’rs of brightest hue, “Diffuse a rich perfume. VIII. “Autumn of fruits her tribute brings, “With, yellow harvests crown’d; “Then laugh the hills and vales, and meads “With richest plenty crown’d. IX. “Winter, at length, with gloomy brow, “Comes on to close the year; “When flow’rs and fruits, and all their race, “Almost extinct appear. X. “Yet still some few the gracious Pow’rs “Permit of these to bloom: “Nor heap alike all Flora’s race, “In one remorseless tomb. XI. “And soon as to the wat’ry Signs, “The Sun retreats again; “Then she my flamy dyes awakes, “And bids me deck the plain. XII. “Nor less my worth because ’midst snows, “My head I early rear; “My flow’r still fresh and lively blooms, “As at the closing year. XIII. “And know, when Autumn’s Sun prevails, “My kindred flow’rs arise; “In forms which heav’nly pow’rs might praise, “And scent the ambient skies[14]. XIV. “These ev’ry dismal gloom dispel; “Which mis’ry can impart, “And joy and gladness still inspire, “And harmonize the heart. XV. “Meanwhile my earlier station here, “(Health’s harbinger) I keep, “To glad the sad and cloudy days; “When Spring’s soft Zephyrs sleep. XVI. “So, in the Winter of his days, “Chear thou thy drooping friend; “His sorrows sooth, his griefs assuage, “And prompt assistance lend. XVII. “So, when his fate and fortune lour, “Thy better aid impart; “And with thy fortune’s warmer ray, “Revive his dying heart. XVIII. She said;—the moral well became The sweet, propitious flow’r; I mark’d the lore with heedful mind, And own’d fair friendship’s pow’r.