FLORA AND THALIA. 179 



THE DIAL OF FLOWERS. 



'TwAS a lovely thought to mark the hours, 



As they floated in light away, 

 By the opening and the folding flowers, 



That laugh to the summer's day. 



Thus had each moment its own rich hue, 



And its graceful cup and bell, 

 In whose coloured vase might sleep the dew, 



Like a pearl in an ocean shell. ^ 



To such sweet signs might the time have flowed 



In a golden current on, 

 Ere from the garden, man's first abode. 



The glorious guests were gone. 



So might the days have been brightly told — 



Those days of song and dreams — 

 When shepherds gathered their flocks of old. 



By the blue Arcadian streams. 



So in those isles of delight, that rest 



Far off in a breezeless main. 

 Which many a bark, with a weary guest. 



Has sought, but still in vain. 



, * This dial is said to have been formed by Linnaeus. It 

 marked the hours by the opening and closing, at regular inter- 

 vals, of the flowers arranged in it. 



