Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO JAMES FORBES ON HIS BRINGING ME FLOWERS FROM VAUCLUSE, by HELEN MARIA WILLIAMS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO JAMES FORBES ON HIS BRINGING ME FLOWERS FROM VAUCLUSE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sweet spoils of consecrated bowers
Last Line: Nor, like my verse is born to die.
Subject(s): Flowers; Forbes, James (1749-1819); Preservation


Sweet spoils of consecrated bowers,
How dear to me these chosen flowers!
I love the simplest bud that blows,
I love the meanest weed that grows:
Symbols of nature—every form
That speaks of her this heart can warm;
But ye, delicious flowers, assume
In fancy's eye a brighter bloom;
A dearer pleasure ye diffuse,
Cull'd by the fountain of Vaucluse!
For ye were nurtur'd on the sod
Where PETRARCH mourn'd, and LAURA trod;
Ye grew on that inspiring ground
Where love has shed enchantment round;
Where still the tear of passion flows,
Fond tribute to a poet's woes!
Yet, cherish'd flowers, with love and fame
This wreath entwines a milder name;
Friendship, who better knows than they
The spells that smooth our length'ning way,—
Friendship the blooming off'ring brought;
When FORBES the classic fountain sought,
For me he cull'd the fresh-blown flowers,
And fix'd their hues with potent powers;
Their pliant forms with skilful care
He seized, and stamp'd duration there;
His gift shall ever glad the eye,—
Nor, like my verse is born to die.





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