FLORA AND THALIA. 205 



NIGHT-SCENTED FLOWERS. 



Cah back your odours, lovely flowers, 

 From the night-winds, call them back ; 



And fold your leaves till the laughing, hours 

 Come forth in the sunbeam's track. 



The lark lies couched in her grassy nest, 



And the honey-bee is gone ; 

 And all bright things are away to rest, 



Why watch ye here alone 1 



" Nay, let our shadowy beauty bloom. 



When the stars give quiet light ; 

 And let us offer our faint peJIme ^; 



On the silent shrine of night. 



" Call it not wasted, the scent we lend^" ^. 



To the breeze, when no step is nigh ; 

 Oh, thus for ever the earth should send 



Her grateful breath on high ! 



" And love us as emblems, night's dewy flowers. 



Of hopes unto sorrows given. 

 That spring through the gloom of the darkest hours 



Looking alone to heaven. 



FROM mus. hemaxs's national lyrics. 



