The IVY and SWEET BRIAR.
I.
“Hail, sacred IVY! hail,” I said,
“Devote to BACCHUS’ shrine;
“Parent of wreaths, which deck the brows
“Of Gods and men divine.
II.
“Why call thee baleful, why despise
“Thy ancient friendly race;
“Who clasp the Elm and sturdy Oak
“In mystical embrace.
III.
“MINERVA’S bird too deigns to dwell
“Where thou art frequent seen;
“Who loves the calm and peaceful hour,
“And courts the deep serene.
IV.
“Thou, like the Vine, thy patron’s joy,
“Thy nurture wilt receive,
“And, twining close with friendly arms,
“Wilt still supported live.
V.
“With PHŒBUS’ laurel justly thou
“May’st hold divided claim;
“The crown of glorious conquerors,
“And meed of deathless fame.”
VI.
Thus whilst I spoke, the West wind rose,
And scatter’d rich perfume,
From thickets, where sweet Eglantine
Appear’d in vernal bloom.
VII.
Thence a soft voice salutes my ear,
Which thus complaining said;
“Fond youth, to yonder noxious weed
“Why all these honours paid?
VIII.
“The Vine, ’tis true, will wed her Elm;
“But view the dow’r she brings!
“From yonder steril, forc’d embrace
“Alas! what profit springs?
IX.
“Like a false friend, too sure, she twines,
“Intent but to destroy;
“As Jealousy, Love’s offspring, still
“Impoisons all Love’s joy.
X.
“How poor that virtue, which retires
“To solitude for aid!
“How weak that wisdom, which can shine
“Alone in night’s dun shade!
XI.
“And what, though gods and godlike men
“Their victor brows have bound
“With ivy’d wreaths; is then the weed
“For that alone renown’d?
XII.
“Say rather, in that purer age,
“When spotless honour reign’d;
“The victor, seeking only fame,
“A worthless crown obtain’d.
XIII.
“Hence Ivy, Parsley, Oaken Boughs,
“Their labour well repaid,
“Who not for gain, but glory’s charms,
“Their gen’rous strength display’d.
XIV.
“But thou, regardful of fair truth,
“And glory justly gain’d;
“Scorn the frail claim of upstarts base,
“By such false means obtain’d.
XV.
“Not borrow’d names from high descent,
“Are real honour’s meed;
“But they alone are GREAT, whose fame
“Springs from THEIR OWN fair deed.”