FRINGED GENTIAN 



One sudden break, half down the lengthening 



shade, 



Revealed a dark-rimmed circle, still and lone, 

 Her presence filled that sun-illumined glade, 



She made the enchanted solitude her own ; 

 The heavens above their watch eternal kept, 

 And, steeped in light, the embracing woodland 

 slept. 



Pale knots of grasses fringed the open space, 

 Her lifted cups passed lightly thro and thro , 



Each chalice molded in divinest grace, 



Each brimmed with pure, intense and perfect 

 blue ; 



Alone, and spotless in her virgin fame, 



Her life upheld the year s immortal claim. 



Now wail low winds about the forest eaves, 



Now life grows cold neath cold and dreary 

 skies, 



And rustling ankle-deep in fallen leaves, 



The lone, deserted wood-path blanching lies; 



Yet, pinched and wan, of youthful charm bereft, 



The last forsaken gentian still is left. 



88 



