110 POETRY OF THE ROSE. 



FLORA'S CHOICE. 



When Flora, from her azure home, 

 Came gently down to grace the earth, 

 She called around her every sprite 

 To which the sunny air gives birth, 

 And bade them search each distant realm 

 Of tropic heat or temperate clime. 

 From cold New England's rocky hills 

 To Santa Crusian groves of lime, 

 And bring each floweret, rich and rare. 

 For her to choose her favorite there. 



Quick flew the sprites o'er land and sea. 

 Through cloud, and mist, and storm afar. 

 Catching, with rapid, eagle glance. 

 The beauties of each opening flower : 

 From Alpine heights they bore a prize. 

 From Persia and from Hindostan ; 

 For many a bud of beauty rare 

 They searched the central, flowery land. 

 And, filled with treasures rich and sweet, 

 They hasten'd to their mistress' feet. 



Camellia, with its lustrous white 



And glossy leaves of emerald hue ; 



Verbena, with its brilliant red, 



And Heath just touch'd with mountain dew ; 



Azalea, whose aerial form 



Seems scarcely of terrestrial birth ; 



And Cinerara's purple star. 



Gracing full well its mother earth ; 



And many a flower from tropic skies 



Strove mingled there to gain the prize : 



