THE CARDINAL-FLOWER, 



LOBELIA CARDINALIS L. 



THEN think I of deep shadows on the grass, 

 Of meadows where in sun the cattle graze, 



Where, as the breezes pass, 

 The gleaming rushes lean a thousand ways, 

 Of leaves that slumber in a cloudy mass, 



Or whiten in the wind, of waters blue 



That from the distance sparkle through 

 Some woodland gap, and of a sky above, 

 Where one white cloud like a stray lamb doth move. 



My childhood's earliest thoughts are linked with thee; 



The sight of thee calls back the robin's song, 

 Who, from the dark old tree 



Beside the door sung clearly all day long, 



And I, secure in childish piety, 



Listened as if I heard an angel sing 



With news from heaven, which he could bring 



Fresh every day to my untainted ears, 



When birds, and flowers, and I were happy peers. 



Lowell. 



WE have before us one of our most brilliant wild-flowers. 

 Nature may almost defy art to reproduce the color with which 

 she dyes its flaming petals. Nothing comparable to it is seen 



