YELLOW GOAT's-BEARD. 59 



Flowers of gay hues, that yield, to cheer the mind, 



Beauty, and fragrance breathing all around, 

 Such as blest Eden own'd in happier days, 

 When burst from sinless lips the great Creator's 

 praise. 



Praise Him, all grass and herbs, the prophet said ; 



All fruitful trees, sweet flowers, and cedars tall. 

 Such as from out the rents which time has made 



On storm-beat cliiFs ; or by the rushing fall 

 Of headlong waters in lone beauty smile. 



Making each solitary place seem glad. 

 That sorrowing ones, perchance, who rest awhile 



Having small hope, when all things seem most sad. 

 May cheer their hearts, as one* in days of yore, 

 On Afric's sands, and learn to doubt no more. 



Ah why ! amid the countless hosts that bear 

 The name of Christ, baptized and honour'd men. 



Lords of the vast creation, vast as fair, 

 Though powerless, as seem to mortal ken. 



* Mungo Park. 



