AMERICAN INSTITUTE. Ill 



civilization, no happiness, and no existence — that they keep the sacred 

 fire which would have been extinguished at the fall if Eve had not come 

 out of Paradise with Adam ! — that here we celebrate the powers and glo- 

 ries of ladies — Flora, Pomo7ia and Ceres. Welcome then to the ladies. 



THE POEM. 



DEDICATED TO THE FARMERS' CLDB, WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE AUTHORESSj 

 FANNV W. BRUCE, OF WILLIAMSBURGH, L. I. 



Behold the roseate June is here, 



With flowery vines and dewy gems, 

 While clustering buds and berries bright, 



Hang pendent from their fragrant stems : 

 The tulip in her brilliant garb 



So proudly rears her crimson vest. 

 While daisy, in her modest bloom, 



Peeps timid from her grassy nest. 



The varied roses droop their heads. 



Like blushing maids in coyful pride. 

 While orange-wreaths and lilies white 



Deck summer as a lovely bride ; 

 And lo ! the violet so meek, 



The peony and mignonnette, 

 The jasmine, larkspur, daffodil. 



And she that bids us not forget. 



The myrtle, telling of true love, 



And snow-drops all so fair and frail, 

 Narcissus, iris, and sweet-pea, 



And pink so delicately pale, 

 Carnation, grove-love and harebell, 



Magnolia and rich woodbine, 

 The passion-flower, verbena pure. 



And golden-gemmed loasa-vine. 



Like fairies met in riv'ling throngs 



Along the banks of every stream 

 Sweet Flora's flowry jewels now. 



In varied beauty, glorious gleam. 

 Mocking the rainbow's heavenly dyes, ^ 



With many a dazzling radiant hue; 

 And emblems, too, of mortals, each — 



Of pride, of worth and virtue true. 



The cherries twinkle through each bough. 



So brilliant in the morning light. 

 While strawberries, like coral gems, 



Glow temptingly upon the sight; 

 The raspberries, like rubies, gleam 



Amid their downy emerald leaves, 

 And clustering currants, thickly hang 



Where sunlight glittering fret-work weaves. 



And birds their rapturous notes pour forth 



In strains of gladness on the air, 

 E'en as in Paradise of old, 



Ere earth had known of sin and care : 

 The Oriole's mellifluous songs 



Now rouse the drowsy early morn. 

 The whip-poor-will in carols soft 



Proclaims the twilight's hazy dawn. 



