The Botanic Garden. Part II. | Page 3

these Generic, or Family plants, produced all the Species: and lastly, that the intermarriages of the individuals of the Species produced the Varieties.
In the following POEM, the name or number of the Class or Order of each plant is printed in italics; as "Two_ brother swains." "_One House contains them." and the word "secret" expresses the Class of Clandestine Marriage.
The Reader, who wishes to become further acquainted with this delightful field of science, is advised to study the words of the Great Master, and is apprized that they are exactly and literally translated into English, by a Society at LICHFIELD, in four Volumes Octavo.
To the SYSTEM OF VEGETABLES is prefixed a copious explanation of all the Terms used in Botany, translated from a thesis of Dr. ELMSGREEN, with the plates and references from the Philosophia Botannica of LINNEUS.
To the FAMILIES OF PLANTS is prefixed a Catalogue of the names of plants, and other Botanic Terms, carefully accented, to shew their proper pronunciation; a work of great labour, and which was much wanted, not only by beginners, but by proficients in BOTANY.

PROEM.
GENTLE READER!
Lo, here a CAMERA OBSCURA is presented to thy view, in which are lights and shades dancing on a whited canvas, and magnified into apparent life!--if thou art perfectly at leasure for such trivial amusement, walk in, and view the wonders of my INCHANTED GARDEN.
Whereas P. OVIDIUS NASO, a great Necromancer in the famous Court of AUGUSTUS CAESAR, did by art poetic transmute Men, Women, and even Gods and Goddesses, into Trees and Flowers; I have undertaken by similar art to restore some of them to their original animality, after having remained prisoners so long in their respective vegetable mansions; and have here exhibited them before thee. Which thou may'st contemplate as diverse little pictures suspended over the chimney of a Lady's dressing-room, connected only by a slight festoon of ribbons. And which, though thou may'st not be acquainted with the originals, may amuse thee by the beauty of their persons, their graceful attitudes, or the brilliancy of their dress.
FAREWELL.
[Illustration]
THE
LOVES
OF THE
PLANTS.
CANTO I.
Descend, ye hovering Sylphs! aerial Quires,?And sweep with little hands your silver lyres;?With fairy footsteps print your grassy rings,?Ye Gnomes! accordant to the tinkling strings;?5 While in soft notes I tune to oaten reed
Gay hopes, and amorous sorrows of the mead.--?From giant Oaks, that wave their branches dark,?To the dwarf Moss, that clings upon their bark,?What Beaux and Beauties crowd the gaudy groves,?10 And woo and win their vegetable Loves.
How Snowdrops cold, and blue-eyed Harebels blend?Their tender tears, as o'er the stream they bend;?The lovesick Violet, and the Primrose pale?Bow their sweet heads, and whisper to the gale;?15 With secret sighs the Virgin Lily droops,
And jealous Cowslips hang their tawny cups.?How the young Rose in beauty's damask pride?Drinks the warm blushes of his bashful bride;?With honey'd lips enamour'd Woodbines meet,?20 Clasp with fond arms, and mix their kisses sweet.--
Stay thy soft-murmuring waters, gentle Rill;?Hush, whispering Winds, ye ruflling Leaves, be still; Rest, silver Butterflies, your quivering wings;?Alight, ye Beetles, from your airy rings;
[Vegetable Loves. l. 10. Linneus, the celebrated Swedish naturalist, has demonstrated, that ail flowers contain families of males or females, or both; and on their marriages has constructed his invaluable system of Botany.]
25 Ye painted Moths, your gold-eyed plumage furl,
Bow your wide horns, your spiral trunks uncurl;?Glitter, ye Glow-worms, on your mossy beds;?Descend, ye Spiders, on your lengthen'd threads;?Slide here, ye horned Snails, with varnish'd shells; 30 Ye Bee-nymphs, listen in your waxen cells!--
BOTANIC MUSE! who in this latter age?Led by your airy hand the Swedish sage,?Bad his keen eye your secret haunts explore?On dewy dell, high wood, and winding shore;?35 Say on each leaf how tiny Graces dwell;
How laugh the Pleasures in a blossom's bell;?How insect Loves arise on cobweb wings,?Aim their light shafts, and point their little stings.
First the tall CANNA lifts his curled brow?40 Erect to heaven, and plights his nuptial vow;
[Canna. l. 39. Cane, or Indian Reed. One male and one female inhabit each flower. It is brought from between the tropics to our hot-houses, and bears a beautiful crimson flower; the seeds are used as shot by the Indians, and are strung for prayer-beads in some catholic countries.]
The virtuous pair, in milder regions born,?Dread the rude blast of Autumn's icy morn;?Round the chill fair he folds his crimson vest,?And clasps the timorous beauty to his breast.
45 Thy love, CALLITRICHE, two Virgins share,
Smit with thy starry eye and radiant hair;--?On the green margin sits the youth, and laves?His floating train of tresses in the waves;?Sees his fair features paint the streams that pass, 50 And bends for ever o'er the watery glass.
Two brother swains, of COLLIN'S gentle name,?The same their features, and their forms the same,
[Callitriche, l. 45. Fine-Hair, Stargrass. One male and two females inhabit each flower. The upper leaves grow