FLORA AND THALIA. Ill 



THE ROSE. 

 AN IDYLL.* 



Said Ino, " I prefer the Rose 



To every radiant flower that blows ; ' 



For when the smiUng seasons fly, 



And winds and rain deform the sky, 



And roses lose their vivid bloom, 



Their leaves retain a sweet perfume. 



Emblem of virtue ! virtue stays 



When beauty's transient hue decays; 



Nor age, nor fortune's frowoi efface, 



Or injure her inherent grace." 



" True," answered Daphnis ; " but observe, 



Unless some careful hand preserve 



The leaves, before their tints decay, 



They fall neglected ; blown away 



By wintry winds or beating rains. 



No breath of fragrancy remains. 



Some kindly hand must interpose ; 



For sore the wintry tempest blows. 



And weak and deUcate's the Rose." 



mCHARDSOX. 



* The Idyll, or Idyllion, seems to signify, according to th« 

 practice of the ancients, a representation in verse, most com. 

 monly of some pastoral or rural incident. 



