138 FLORA'S INTERPRETER. 



OLIVE. Class 2. Order I. The Olive was sacred to 



Q] ea Minerva; and it lias been, since the Deluge, the 



emblem of peace. It lives to a "rent age. 



Flowers white, gmull, and slightly odoriferous. 



PEACE. 



The sign of peace who first displays, 

 The Olive wreath possesses. 



Drayton. 



SENTIMENT. 



Come, while the blossoms of thy year are brightest, 



Thou youthful wanderer in a flowery maze; 

 Come, while the restless heart is bounding lightest, 



Arid joy's pure sunbeams tremble in thy ways; 

 Come, while sweet thoughts, like summer buds unfolding, 



Waken rich feelings in the careless breast 

 While yet thy hand the ephemeral wreath is holding, 



Come, and secure interminable rest 



Come, while the morning of thy life is glowing, 



Ere the dim phantoms thou art chasing die 

 Ere the gay spell, which earth is round thee throwing, 



Fades like the crimson from a sunset sky. 

 Life is but shadows, save a promise given, 



Which lights up sorrow with a fadeless ray. 

 O, touch the sceptre! with a hope in heaven, 



Come, turn thy spirit from the world away. 



Then will the crosses of this brief existence 



Seem airy nothings to thine ardent soul, 

 And, shining brightly in the forward distance, 



Will of thy patient race appear the goal 

 Home of the weary; where, in peace reposing, 



The spirit lingers in unbounded bliss; 

 Though o'er its dust the uncurtained grave is closing, 



Who would not early choose a lot like this' 



Columbian Star. 



