DIRGE OF FLOWERS. 217 



AUTUMN FLOWERS. 



STRICKLAND. 



Flowers of the closing year ! 



Ye bloom amidst decay, 

 And. come like friends sincere, 

 When wintry storms appear, 



And all have pass'd away 

 That clothed gay spring's luxuriant bowers. 

 With garlands meet for sunny hours. 



When Rose and Lily fade. 



And later Amaranths fail. 

 And leaves in grove and glade 

 Assume a russet shade, 



And shiver in the gale. 

 Or, withering, strew the chilly plain 

 With blighted hopes of summer's reign : — 



'Tis then, when sternly lours. 



O'er Nature's changing face. 

 Dark clouds and drifting showers. 

 Ye come, ye come, sweet flowers! 



With meek and touching grace; 

 And o'er the parting season's wing, 

 A wreath of lingering beauty fling. 



The Harebell, bright and blue. 



That loves the dingle wild, 



20* 



