A Parable

I PICKED a rustic nosegay lately,

And bore it homewards, musing greatly;

When, heated by my hand, I found

The heads all drooping tow'rd the ground.

I plac'd them in a well-cool'd glass,

And what a wonder came to pass

The heads soon raised themselves once more.

The stalks were blooming as before,

And all were in as good a case

As when they left their native place.

So felt I, when I wond'ring heard

My song to foreign tongues transferr'd.