214 FLORA AND THALIA. 



More frequent than the host of night, 

 Those earth-born stars, as sages write, 



Their brilliant disks unfold ; 

 Fit symbol of imperial state, 

 Their sceptre-seeming forms elate, 



And crowns of burnished gold. 



But not the less, sweet spring-tide's flower, 

 Dost thou display the Maker's power, 



His skill and handy work ; 

 Our western valleys' humbler child. 

 Where, in green nook of woodland wild, 



Thy modest blossoms lurk. 



What though nor care nor art be thine, 

 The loom to ply, the thread to twine, 



Yet, born to bloom and fade,^r 

 Thee too a lovelier robe arrays, 

 Than, e'en in Israel's brightest days. 



Her wealthiest king arrayed. 



Of thy twin leaves the embowered screen. 

 Which wraps thee in thy shtoud of green; 



Thy Eden-breathing smell; 

 Thy arched and purple-vested stem. 

 Whence ^elidant many a pearly gem. 



Displays a milk-white bell. 



Instinct -with life thy fibrous root, 

 Which sends from earth the ascending shoot. 

 As rising from th^ dead, 



