134 FLORA AND THALIA. 



THE VIOLET. 



(Viola odor at a.) 



Sweet lowly plant ! once more I bend 

 To hail thy presence here, 



Like a beloved returning friend, 

 From absence doubly dear. 



Wert thou for ever in our sight, 

 Might we not love thee less 1 



But no-w thou bringest new delight, 

 Thou still hast power to bless. 



, Still doth thine April presence bring 



Of April joys a dream ; 

 When life was in its sunny spring — 

 A fair unrippled stream. 



And still thine exquisite perfume. 



Is precious as of old ; 

 And still thy modest tender bloom, 



It joys me to behold. 



It joys and cheers, whene'er I see 

 Pain on earth's meek ones press, 



To think the storm that rends the tree, 

 Scathes not thy lowliness. 



