208 PARSONS ON THE ROSE. 



Verbena, with its brilliant red, 



And Heath just touch'd with mountain dew; 



Azalea, whose aerial form 



Seems scarcely of terrestrial birth ; 



And Cinerara's purple star, 



Gracing full well its mother earth ; 



And many a flower from tropic skies 



Strove mingled there to gain the prize. 



But not the richest tropic blooms, 

 Cull'd from the fairest climes on earth, 

 Could vie with nature's fairest flower. 

 Of Iran's sun-clad soil the birth ; 

 Though clothed in rich and gorgeous hues, 

 They bore no charm of fragrance there, 

 In form and color, sweetness, grace — 

 None with the Rose could once compare : 

 She bore the palm in Flora's eyes, 

 Who to the Rose adjudged the prize. 



S. B. P. 



THE ROSE, 



Though many a flower has graced the lay 

 And formed the theme of poets' song — 

 Has gently flowed in Grecian phrase. 

 Or tripped upon the Roman's tongue ; 

 Yet, still, in ancient song and story 

 The Rose shines forth in beauty rare, 

 Enveloped with a halo bright, 

 And made so glorious, rich, and fair, 



