autiful flowers, some whereof have been heretofore handled by a
renowned person of your name; but since his time, nature hath discovered
many new varieties, not known to former ages, as I hope shortly will
appear in your own collections, gloriously adorning your spacious
garden, which I wish may correspond, both in fashion and furniture, with
that noble structure to which it appertaineth. Accept then, my honoured
lord, this humble offering, which may possibly live to do you service,
when I am dust and ashes, and, according to my highest ambition, remain
as a testimony of my sincerest gratitude for the many favours I have
received from your honour, your most accomplished lady, and that noble
family from whence she is descended. I should here add my prayers for
your honour's preservation, did I not reserve them for my morning
sacrifice, daily to be presented to the immortal deities by him that
is, your most humble and most devoted servant, John Rea." He addresses
also a long poem to Lady Gerard, on Flora inviting her to walk in this
garden, in which he celebrates her "bright beauty."

Self-loved _Narcissus_, if he look
On your fair eyes, will leave the brook,
And undeceived, soon will rue
He ever any loved but you.
If to the _hyacinth_ you turn,
He smiles, and quite forgets to mourn.
The enamoured _heliotrope_ will run
To your bright stars, and leave the sun.
Our _lilies_ here do make no show,
They whiter on your bosom grow,
And _violets_ appear but stains,
Compared with your bluer veins.

* * * * *

New-blown buds, all scents excelling,
As you pass by, invite your smelling.

* * * * *

Mark the glorious _tulips_ rise
In various dress, to take your eyes,
And how the fairest and all the rest
Strive which shall triumph on your breast.

* * * * *

Thus your rich beauty and rare parts
Excel all flowers, exceed all arts.
Live then, sweet lady, to inherit
Your father's fortune, and his spirit,
Your mother's face and virtuous mind.[33]

Throughout this long poem, John Rea's warmth much exceeds that of the
most romantic lovers. One of the latter only observes, that the flowers
courted the tread of his fair one's foot; that the sky grew more
beautiful in her presence, and that the atmosphere borrowed new
splendour from her eyes. Rea's passion seems even w