256 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES. 



afternoon and the evening before the show ; but 

 if it is 



" In the prime of summer-time, 

 An evening calm and cool," 



let your Roses rest after the heat of the day, and 

 cut them on the morrow, when they awake with 

 the sun, refreshed with gracious dews. 



Wherefore, early to your bed, my amateur, your 

 bed of Roses and of Thorns ; for as surely as the 

 school-boy who, having received a cake from home, 

 takes with him a last slice to his cubicle, awakes 

 in feverish repletion, turning painfully upon the 

 crusty crumbs, so shall this night of yours be 

 fraught with pleasure and with pain. Now shall 

 you taste daintily the candied peels, and now toss 

 fretfully on piercing. grits. Now you shall sleep, 

 and all shall be serene, blissful. You are dream- 

 ing, so sweetly dreaming, the happy hours away. 

 The great day has come. 



" A happier smile illumes each hrow, 



With quicker spread each heart uncloses ; 



And all is happiness, for now 



The valley holds its feast of Roses." 



Your own are magnificent, larger than those which 

 bloom in Manchester chintz above your slumber- 



