FABLES OF FLOWERS,FOR THE FEMALE SEX. WITH ZEPHYRUS and FLORA, A VISION.

WRITTEN FOR THE AMUSEMENT OF

HER HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL

BY THE AUTHOR OF THE CHOICE EMBLEMS, &C. &C.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR GEORGE RILEY, BOOKSELLER, IN CURZON-STREET, MAY-FAIR.

AND SOLD BY JOHN WILKIE, ST. PAUL’S-CHURCH-YARD. MDCCLXXIII.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LADY CHARLOTTE FINCH.

THESE NEW FABLES WRITTEN FOR THE AMUSEMENT

OF

HER HIGHNESS,

CHARLOTTE,

PRINCESS ROYAL OF ENGLAND.

PREFACE.

When I survey the divine simplicity and blooming attractions, that are displayed amongst the variegated tribes of the vegetable creation, I cease to wonder, that Queens forego, for a while, the compliments of a nation, or withdraw from the glitter of a court, to be attended with the more splendid equipage of a bed of flowers; where nothing seems wanting but the power of speech, to make them become the most pleasing Monitors.

[Pg viii] How far the Author of the following Fables, written for the amusement of an exalted Personage, may have succeeded, in descriptive fancy, as a poet: it is hoped, that, the moral and refined admonitions which may be found to breathe, from the fragrant bosom of a silver-robed Lily, or a blooming Jonquil, will throw a veil over any poetical inaccuracies; for who can paint like Nature?

As to the novelty of the plan, I cannot but hold myself, in a great [Pg ix] measure, indebted to an ingenious Lady[1], well known in the literary world. And can only say, that I have found both health and recreation in the completion of it; by sharing some of the sweetest hours of contemplation, among the lovely subjects of the following pages.

THE AUTHOR.

[Pg xi]

TABLE of CONTENTS.

[Pg 3]

ZEPHYRUS

AND

FLORA:

A VISION.

[Pg 4]

[Pg 23]

FABLES OF FLOWERS.

[Pg 24]

Fab. I.

The Holly Hock & Lily of the Vale

Fab. II.

The Aloe in Blossom

[Pg 25]

FABLE I. The HOLLYHOCK and the LILY of the VALE.

[Pg 31]

FABLE II. The ALOE in Blossom.

Fab. III.

The Rose & Hornet

Fab. IV.

The Sensitive Plant

[Pg 36]

[Pg 37]

FABLE III. The ROSE and the HORNET.

[Pg 42]

FABLE IV. The SENSITIVE PLANT.

[Pg 46]

Fab. V.

The Hawthorn & Primrose

Fab. VI.

The White Rose & Red

[Pg 47]

FABLE V. The HAWTHORN and the PRIMROSE.

[Pg 53]

FABLE VI. The WHITE ROSE and the RED.

Fab. VII.

The Crocus

Fab. VIII.

Anemone & Passion Flower

[Pg 59]

FABLE VII.The CROCUS.

[Pg 64]