To the Goddess of Botany

Of folly weary, shrinking from the view Of violence and fraud, allowed to take All peace from humble life, I would forsake Their haunts for ever, and, sweet nymph! with you Find shelter; where my tired and tear-swoln eyes, Among your silent shades of soothing hue, Your "bells and florets of unnumbered dyes" Might rest--and learn the bright varieties That from your lovely hands are fed with dew; And every veinéd leaf that trembling sighs In mead or woodland; or in wilds remote; Or lurk with mosses in the humid caves, Mantle the cliffs, on dimpling rivers float, Or stream from coral rocks beneath the ocean waves.