The NASTURTIUM and the WALL FLOWER.
I.
Against a funny fence below
The fair NASTURTIUM plac’d,
Beheld how well its highest tops
The fragrant WALL-FLOW’R grac’d.
II.
Without some useful kind support
Unable to survive;
Ill could she bear another flow’r
By the same means should thrive.
III.
At length, one sultry summer’s noon,
When radiant PHŒBUS shone
On both alike with chearing ray,
She envious thus begun:
IV.
“Had I the WALL-FLOW’R’S fragrant scent,
“Would I alone thus bloom;
“On yonder peak obscurely dwell,
“And waste my rich perfume!
V.
“For shame, yield to inferior flow’rs
“That strange and uncouth place;
“Nor, like some noxious worthless weed,
“Nurse there thy beauteous race.
VI.
“Besides, I claim the humbler boon,
“Against this fence to blow;
“While thee the more indulgent Heav’n
“May safely place below.”
VII.
She spoke;—the WALL-FLOW’R thus reply’d,
“Ambition is not mine;
“My native place is still my joy:
“Do thou delight in thine.
VIII.
“Full well I know that perils still
“On frequent change attend:
“And they oft spoil their present state,
“Who hasty strive to mend.
IX.
“Nor less can I thy drift observe,
“Who, envious of my lot,
“Would’st me of ev’ry help bereave,
“Drawn from my native spot.
X.
“Too selfish flow’r, who vainly this
“Would’st me of life deprive;
“And by my downfall think’st to rise,
“And on my ruin thrive.
XI.
“Know, that th’ all-chearing lamp of day
“On both alike bestows
“His sov’reign gifts; for All his light
“Without distinction glows.
XII.
“Is not that source of genial fire
“Sufficient both to warm,
“That thou should’st thus unkindly seek
“Thy quiet neighbour’s harm?
XIII.
“And what if I consenting give,
“Ambitious! thy desire?
“Were I now low in ashes laid,
“Say, could’st thou climb the higher?
XIV.
“For shame, th’ ungen’rous wish forego,
“Rejoice in others’ joy;
“And lengthen’d scenes of double bliss
“Shall all thy hours employ.
XV.
“For know, where Envy’s pow’r prevails,
“Peace, Love, and Joy, retire:
“Her vot’ries feel eternal pains,
“And burn with ceaseless fire.”
XVI.
Felicity with Concord dwells;
And ev’ry joy of peace
Heav’n’s sacred hand still bounteous gives,
And blesses the increase.