XVII.

No lustful woman came this plant to grieve,

But 'twas because there was none yet but Eve,

And she (with other purpose) killed it quite:

Her sin had now brought in infirmities,

And so her cradled child the moist-red eyes

Had never shut, nor slept, since it saw light:

Poppy she knew, she knew the mandrake's might,

And tore up both, and so cooled her child's blood.

Unvirtuous weeds might long unvexed have stood,

But he's short-lived that with his death can do most good.

Specimens with Memoirs of the Less-known British Poets, Volume 1 · 第 224 / 326 题