86 FLOWEES. 



And, its day of beauty passing, 



When its scented leaves are falling, 



Treasures up the scattered fragments, 



With a sympathetic fondness, 



To yield perfume sweet hereafter, 



Haply feeling them inwoven 



W^ith some thoughts she fain would cherish. 



And, in later life, how often 

 Man oppressed and man oppressing, 

 Striving onward for some blessing, 

 Some imaginary blessing. 

 Haply of his own creating. 

 Often beaten in the struggle 

 Even when he seems succeeding, 

 Wounded, will he leave his fellows, 

 And, apart from all that's worldly. 

 Seek the sympathy of flowers : 

 They will renovate his spirit. 

 As the holy dew of Hennon, 

 As the healing balm of Gilead, 

 Dew refreshing to the weary. 

 Balm to heal acutest heartache. 



Long as nature reigns within us, 

 There exists in human bosoms 

 This sweet sympathy with flowers : 

 Quench it not ; the gentle feeling 

 Guides the trusting spirit upwards. 



