DRYDEN.

THE

FLOWER AND THE LEAF;

OR,

THE LADY IN THE ARBOUR.

Now turning from the wintry signs, the Sun
His course exalted through the Ram had run,
And whirling up the skies, his chariot drove
Through Taurus, and the lightsome realms of Love;
Where Venus from her orb descends in showers
To glad the ground, and paint the fields with flowers:
When first the tender blades of grass appear,
And buds, that yet the blast of Eurus fear,
Stand at the door of life, and doubt to clothe the
Till gentle heat, and soft repeated rains,
[year;
Make the green blood to dance within their veins :
Then, at their call embolden'd out they come,
And swell the gems, and burst the narrow room;
Broader and broader yet their blooms display,
Salute the welcome sun, and entertain the day:
Then from their breathing souls the sweets repair
To scent the skies, and purge the unwholesome air:
Joy spreads the heart, and with a general song
Spring issues out, and leads the jolly months along.
In that sweet season, as in bed I lay,
And sought in sleep to pass the night away,

I turn'd my weary side, but still in vain,
Though full of youthful health, and void of pain :
Cares I had none to keep me from my rest,
For love had never enter'd in my breast ;
I wanted nothing Fortune could supply,
Nor did she slumber till that hour deny.
I wonder❜d then, but after found it true,
Much joy had dried away the balmy dew:
Seas would be pools, without the brushing air
To curl the waves; and sure some little care
Should weary Nature so, to make her want repair.
When Chanticleer the second watch had sung,
Scorning the scorner sleep, from bed I sprung;
And dressing, by the moon, in loose array,
Pass'd out in open air, preventing day,

And sought a goodly grove, as fancy led my way.
Straight as a line in beauteous order stood,
Of oaks uushorn, a venerable wood;

Fresh was the grass beneath, and every tree
At distance planted in a due degree,

Their branching arms in air with equal space
Stretch'd to their neighbours with a long embrace:
And the new leaves on every bough were seen,
Some ruddy-colour'd, some of lighter green.
The painted birds, companions of the spring,
Hopping from spray to spray, were heard to sing;
Both eyes and ears received a like delight,
Enchanting music, and a charming sight.
On Philomel I fix'd my whole desire,
And listen'd for the queen of all the quire;
Fain would I hear her heavenly voice to sing,
And wanted yet an omen to the spring.

Attending long in vain, I took the way,
Which through a path but scarcely printed lay;
In narrow mazes oft it seem❜d to meet,
And look'd as lightly press'd by fairy feet.