Yet, rich as morn, of many a hue, When flushing clouds through darkness strike The Tulip's petals shine in dew All beautiful, but none alike. TO BLOSSOMS. BY HERRICK. FAIR pledges of a fruitful tree, Why do ye fall so fast? Your date is not so past But you may stay here yet awhile, What were ye born to be An hour or half's delight, But ye are lovely leaves, where we A COMPARISON. BY J. H. WIFFEN. -As yon flower, with hyacinthine bells, Playful as light, which shiver'd by my tread, Is turn'd to dust and darkness-to all else It is as though it was not; swiftly sped Spoil o'er its bruised buds which blossomed A blending of all sweetness-what now? A few years hence, and over this bent head, Dashing all life and gladness from the brow, The scythe of Time shall pass, and Ruin's silen plough. But the Spring, Fair as Aurora in her purple cloud, Descends and wakens in their slumbering, Life from the ashes, beauty from the shroud. And speaks of immortality aloud To mourning man; and thus the flower I trod To its maternal dust shall issue proud Ofits new birth, and on a greener sod Bow to the dollying winds-a sign to man from God. THE EARLY PRIMROSE. Aske me why I send you here This primrose all bepearl'd with dew; Aske me why this flow'r doth show THE HOLLY. BY SOUTHEY. READER! hast thou ever stood to sce The The holly tree? eye that contemplates it well perceives Its glossy leaves Order'd by an Intelligence so wise. As might confound the Atheist's sophistries. Below a circling fence, its leaves are seen No grazing cattle through their prickly round But as they grow where nothing is to fear, Smooth and unarm'd the pointless leaves appear. NARCISSUS. BY GRAY. Here young Narcissus o'er the fountain stood, Himself alone the foolish youth admires, grieves : His spreading fingers shoot in verdant leaves : ANACREON TO THE ROSE. WHILE We invoke the wreathed spring, And fill with balm the fainting gale! |