196 FLORA AND THALIA. 



SPRING AND SUMMER FLOWERS. 



When every leaf is brightly green, 



When every stem hath sweetest flowers, 



And brilliant hues bedeck the scene, 

 Throughout the joyous summer hours ; 



When sweetest perfumes scent the air, 

 When the bright sky hath deepest blue, 



When fairest scenes seem doubly fair. 

 And all is cloudless to our view ; 



Say, with what feelings do we gaze 

 Upon the garden's gaudy flowers. 



The Rose's tint, the Tulip's blaze, 

 The sweet Carnation's spicy powers ! 



Their beauty greeteth every eye, 

 Their perfume floats on every breeze, 



Yielding rich incense to the sky, — 

 Our love abidejth not with these. 



But when the Snowdrop's fragile head. 



First timidly attracts our view. 

 Ere winter's sternest hour hath fled. 



Like friendship to affliction true ; 



