18 THE FABLES OF FLORA. 



With joy, with pious pride elate, 

 " Behold," the aged abbess cries, 



" An emblem of that happier fate 

 " Which heaven to all but us denies. 



" Our hearts no fears but duteous fears, 

 " No charm but duty's charm can move; 



" We shed no tears but holy tears 

 " Of tender penitence and love. 



*' See there the envious world pourtrayed 

 " In that dark look, that creeping pace I 



*' No flower can bear the Ivy's shade; 

 " No tree support its cold embrace, 



*' The oak that rears it from the ground, 

 " And bears its tendrils to the skies, 



" Feels at his heart the rankling wound, 

 " And in its poisonous arms he diesJ' 



