THE DESERT FLOWER. 37 



THE DESERT FLOWER. 



A WEARY course the traveller held, 



As on with footstep lone, 

 By scientific zeal impelled, 



He tracked the torrid zone. 



Sad thought was with his native glades, 



His father s pleasant halls, 

 Where darkly peer, through woven shades, 



The abbey s ivied walls. 



Yet to the far horizon s bound, 

 Far as the glance could sweep, 



The sandy desert spread around, 

 Like one vast, waveless deep. 



What saw he mid that dreary scene, 



To wake his rapture wild ? 

 A flower ! A flower ! with glorious mien, 



Like some bright rainbow s child. 



