150 FUNERAL FLOWERS. 



infant in the flowers, we quote this passage from 

 the work above referred to: "I gathered a 

 rose from a magnolia, and placed it, yet moist 

 with the dew, upon the head of Atala, who still 

 slept. I hoped that, according to my religion, 

 the soul of some new-born infant would descend 

 on the crystal dew of this flower, and that a 

 prosperous dream would convey it to the bosom 

 of my beloved." Stay ! we have another floral 

 epitaph, which, as it relates to a child, we 

 should like to quote in this place ; it is from a 

 country church-yard in Ireland : 



"A little spirit slumbers here, 

 Who to one heart was ever dear. 

 Oh ! he was more than life or light, 

 Its thought by day its dream by night. 

 The chill winds came ; the young flower faded, 

 And died ; the grave its sweetness shaded. 

 Fair boy ! thou shouldst have wept for me, 

 Not I have had to mourn for thee ; 

 Yet not long shall my sorrowing be 

 These roses I have planted round, 

 To deck thy dear, sad, sacred ground, 

 When spring gales next these roses wave, 

 They'll blush upon thy mother's grave." 



Let us now return to ATALA alas ! she died ! 



