48 WITH HERBS AND FLOWERS 



A CONTEMPLATION UPON FLOWERS 



BRAVE flowers that I could gallant it like you, 



And be as little vain ! 

 You come abroad, and make a harmless show, 



And to your beds of earth again. 

 You are not proud : you know your birth : 

 For your embroider'd garments are from earth. 



You do obey your months and times, but I 



Would have it ever Spring : 

 My fate would know no Winter, never die, 



Nor think of such a thing. 

 O that I could my bed of earth but view 

 And smile, and look as cheerfully as you ! 



O teach me to see Death and not to fear, 



But rather to take truce ! 

 How often have I seen you at a bier, 



And there look fresh and spruce ! 

 You fragrant flowers ! then teach me, that my 



breath 



Like yours may sweeten and perfume my death. 

 HENEY KING (Bishop of Chichester). 



GOD 



I SEE Thee in the distant blue ; 

 But in the Violet's dell of dew, 

 Behold, I breathe and touch Thee too. 



JOHN B. TABS. 



