See how Flora smiles to see
This approaching deity!
Where each herb looks young and green
In presence of their coming queen.
Ceres with all her fragrant store
Could never boast so sweet a flower;
While thus in triumph she doth go
The greater goddess of the two.
Here the violet bows to greet
Her with homage to her feet;
There the lily pales with white
Got by her reflexid light;
Here a rose in crimson dye
Blushes through her modesty;
There a pansy hangs his head
'Bout to shrink into his bed,
'Cause so quickly she passed by,
Not returning suddenly;
Here the currants red and white
In yon green bush at her sight
Peep through their shady leaves, and cry,
" Come, eat me," as she passes by;
There a bed of camomil,
When she presseth it, doth smell
More fragrant than the perfumed East
Or the phoenix' spicy nest;
Here the pinks in rows do throng
To guard her as she walks along;
There the flexive turnsole bends
Guided by the rays she sends
From her bright eyes, as if thence
It sucked life by influence;
Whilst she, the prime and chiefest flower
In all the garden, by her power
And only life-inspiring breath,
Like the warm sun, redeems from death
Their drooping heads, and bids them live,
To tell us she their sweets did give.