6G FLORA AND THALIA. 



THE IRIS* (or rainbow). 



How oft have I view'd thee, all glorious and bright. 

 In the pride of thy birth-place, thou vision of light ; 

 Like an angel of gladness, in mercy design'd 

 As a token and herald of love to mankind ! 



There, too, where the floods of the desert resound. 

 Thou reignest unmoved by the tumult around ; 

 And the eye may repose on thy soft smiling beams ; 

 And the fancy may hail thee the Nymph of the 

 streams. 



Oh! thus, when the moments of sorrow are nigh, 

 When the stern voice of Nature shall call us to die ; 

 At that thrilling hour, when, in anguish and pain. 

 Our spirits return to life's pleasure in vain ; 



May Peace with her soft silv'ry pinions be there, 

 To chase from our bosoms the phantom Despair. 

 May Hope, gentle Hope, with her sweetness illume 

 The darkness that shadows the depths of the tomb. 



* The brilliancy of its colours, and the graceful curve of its 

 petals, emulate the arch of Iris or the rainbow. 



