MAT. 171 



the one or feel the other with indifference ; for who 

 can behold the flexible and modest, yet dignified clus- 

 ters of this charming flower, whose colours vary at 

 every movement, and so sweetly descend from the 

 finest violet down to the silvery white, without regret- 

 ting the short duration of so divine a gift." Perhaps, 

 therefore, the following lines may recal to some minds 

 the pristine delight with which the favourite Lilac 

 was once hailed in early days when in its acme of 

 splendour. 



THE LILAC BOUGH. 



I see it glittering by the wall, 



Methinks I see it now ; 

 For me a stripling much too tall, 



The flowering Lilac bough. 



' Twas April's reign of splendour gay, 



That comes by fits and starts \ 

 A world of tears, and then a ray 



Exulting to all hearts. 



Bright beam'd the Lilac to my eye, 



All brilliance and delight; 

 Its purple, with the azure sky 



Contrasting exquisite ! 



Thus standing, vainly on the gems 



Making my weak essay; 

 A father's hand tore off the stems, 



And sent me proud away. 



The Lilac since for many a spring 



Has blossom'd o'er my brow ; 

 And still I see it clustering 



As on that first bright bough. 



'Tis only recollection's power, 



And gleams of days of yore 

 All vanish'd ! and its purple flower 



I ask to pluck no more. 



