LET OTHERS wreaths of ROSES twine <br />With scented leaves of EGLANTINE; <br />Enamell'd buds and gaudy flow'rs, <br />The pride of FLORA'S painted bow'rs; <br />Such common charms shall ne'er be wove <br />Around the brows of him I LOVE. <br /> <br />Fair are their beauties for a day, <br />But swiftly do they fade away; <br />Each PINK sends forth its choicest sweet <br />AURORA'S warm embrace to meet; <br />And each inconstant breeze, that blows, <br />Steals essence from the musky ROSE. <br /> <br />Then lead me, FLORA, to some vale, <br />Where, shelter'd from the fickle gale, <br />In modest garb, amidst the gloom, <br />The constant MYRTLE sheds perfume; <br />And hid secure from prying eyes, <br />In spotless beauty BLOOMS and DIES. <br /> <br />And should its velvet leaves dispense <br />No pow'rful odours to the sense; <br />Should no proud tints of gaudy hue, <br />With dazz'ling lustre pain the view; <br />Still shall its verdant boughs defy <br />The northern blast, and wintry sky. <br /> <br />AH, VENUS ! should this hand of mine <br />Steal from thy tree a wreath divine, <br />Assist me, while I fondly bind <br />Two Hearts, by holy FRIENDSHIP join'd; <br />Thy cherish'd branches then shall prove, <br />Sacred to TRUTH, as well as LOVE.<br /><br />Mary Darby Robinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/stanzas-to-flora/
