AUTUMNAL CROCUS. 



(COLCHICUM ATJTUMNALE.) 



" The righteous hath hope in his death." 



Proverbs xiv. 32. 



And art thou here, pale Crocus, 

 Arrived to bid farewell ; 



"With thy bare leafless stem 

 Of gloom at hand to tell ? 



Nay ; thou hast come to gladden 

 Whilst yellow Autumn wanes, 



And for a few short hours 

 To deck the naked plains : 



Some ray of hope to bring us 

 For falling leaf and sere. 



Amid the fading brightness 

 Our drooping hearts to cheer. 



Like some soft smile thou playest 



Over the dying scene, 

 Bidding us holy comfort 



Of future joys to glean. 



