FLORA AND THALIA. 197 



And when the breath of early spring- 

 Gives to the modest Primrose birth, 



And tempts the Violet to bring 



Her beauty from the sheltering earth ; 



It is with exquisite delight 



We hail these unassuming flowers, 



More dearly precious in our sight. 



Than all that deck our summer bowers. 



They are the prized, the cherished few, 



Types of our best affections here ; 

 Our path they beautifully strew, 



And first perchance in gloom appear. 



M. 

 From "Floicers of all Hue." 



POETICAL PORTRAIT. 



A Violet by a mossy stone, 



Half hidden from the eye, 

 Fair as a star, when only one 



Is shining in the sky. 



WORDSWORTH. 



Flowers of the fairest. 



And gems of the rarest, 

 I find and I gather in country or town ; 



But one is still wanting. 



Oh ! where is it haunting 1 

 The bud and the jewel must make up my crown 



