402 GLEANINGS. 



Fit symbol of imperial state 

 Their sceptre-seeming forms elate, 

 And crowns of burnish'd gold. 



But not the less, sweet springtide's flower, 

 Dost thou display the Maker's power, 



His skill and handy work, 

 Our western valleys' humbler child ; 

 Where in green nook of woodland wild 



Thy modest blossoms lurk. 



What though nor care nor art be thine, 

 The loom to ply, the thread to twine ; 



Yet, born to bloom and fade, 

 Thee too a lovelier robe arrays, 

 Than e'er in Israel's brightest days 



Her wealthiest king array'd. 



Of thy twin leaves th' embowered screen 

 Which wraps thee in thy shroud of green j 



Thy Eden -breathing smell ; 

 Thy arch'd and purple-vested stem, 

 Whence pendent many a pearly gem, 



Displays a milkwhite bell ; 



Instinct with life thy fibrous root, 



Which sends from earth th' ascending shoot, 



As rising from the dead, 

 And fills thy veins with verdant juice, 

 Charg'd thy fair blossoms to produce, 



And berries scarlet red ; 



The triple cell, the twofold seed, 

 A ceaseless treasure-house decreed, 



Whence aye thy race may grow, | 

 As from creation they have grown, 

 While spring shall weave her flowery crown, 



Or vernal breezes blow : 



Who forms thee thus with unseen hand ; 

 Who at creation gave command, 



And will'd thee thus to be, 

 And keeps thee still in being thro' 

 Age after age revolving, who 



But the Great God is He ? 



Omnipotent to work his will ; 

 Wise, who contrives each part to fill 

 The post to each assign'd ; 



