162 FLORA AND THALIA. 



FADING FLOWERS. 



The morning flowers display their sweets, 

 And gay their silken leaves unfold, 



As careless of the noontide heats, 

 As fearless of the evening cold. 



Nipt by the wind's untimely blast, 

 Parch'd by the sun's directer ray. 



The momentary glories waste, 



The short-lived beauties die away. 



So blooms the human face divine, 



When youth its pride of beauty shows ; 



Fairer than spring the colours shine, 

 And sweeter than the virgin rose. 



But worn by slowly rolling years, 

 Or broke by sickness in a day. 



The fading glory disappears. 



The short-lived beauties die away. 



Yet these new-rising from the tomb, 

 With lustre brighter far shall shine. 



Revive with ever-during bloom. 

 Safe from diseases and decline. 



