FLORA AND THALIA. 129 



THE ALPINE VIOLET. 



The spring is come, the Violet's gone, 



The first-born child of the early sun ; 



With us she is but a winter flower. 



The snow on the hills cannot blast her bower ; 



And she lifts up her dewy eye of blue, 



To the youngest sky of the self-same hue ; 



But when the spring comes with her host 

 Of flowers, that flower, beloved the most. 

 Shrinks from the crowd, that may confuse 

 Her heavenly odours and virgin hues. 



Pluck the others, but still remember 

 Their herald, out of dim December; 

 The morning star of all the flowers, 

 The pledge of day-light's lengthened hours ; 

 And, 'mid the roses, ne'er forget, 

 The virgin, virgin Violet. 



BTIIOX. 



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