76 WITH HERBS AND FLOWERS 



Ah me ! 



Such kisses are for roses in the prime, 



For braid of lime, 



For full-blown blooms, 



For ardent breaths outpoured 



Obvious, or treasure stored 



In honied rooms 



Of rare delight, in which the looms 



Of nature still conspire 



To sate desire. 



Not such are you beside the wall, 



Cloistered and virginal. 



'Twas your wild purple sisters there that passed 



Unseen, and cast 



The spell. They hold 



The vantage of the heights, 



And in you they have rights, 



And they are bold : 



They know not ever to be cold 



Or coy, but they would play 



With you alway. 



Wherefore their little sprites a-wing 



Make onslaught from the ling. 



So spake I to the foxglove in my mood, 

 But was not understood. 

 Rather she shrank, and in a tenfold whiteness 

 Condemned what must have seemed to her my light- 

 ness. 



THOMAS EDWARD BROWN. 



