AMARANTH. 153 



POETICAL AMARANTH. 



Milton. 

 Immortal Amaranth, a flower which once 

 In Paradise, fast by the tree of life, 

 Began to bloom, but soon for man's offence 

 To heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows 

 And flowers aloft, shading the fount of life 

 And where the river of bliss through midst of heaven 

 Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream ; 

 With these, that never fade, the spirits elect 

 Bind their resplendent locks, enwreathed with beams ,* 

 Now in loose garlands, thick thrown off, the bright 

 Pavement, that like a sea of jasper shone, 

 Impurpled with celestial Roses, smiled. 



TO THE WILD AMARANTH. 



ANON. 



The Rose, that gave its perfume to the gale. 

 And triumph'd for an hour, in gay parade, 

 Pride of Damascus, bright imperial flower, 



Was born to fade ! 

 Shorn of its bloom, and rifled of its power. 

 Scared by the blast, and scatter'd in the vale ! 



So youth shall wither, beauty pass away ! 



The bloom of health, the flush of mantling pride. 



Nor wealth, nor skill, nor eloquence, can save 



