FLORAL KEEPSAKE. 



It was my pleasure and my pride ; 



How I did watch its growth ! 

 For health and bloom what plans I tried, 



And often injured both. 



I placed it in the summer shower ; 



I placed it in the sun ; 

 And ever, at the evening hour, 



My \vork seemed half undone. 



The broad leaves spread ; the small buds grew ; 



How slow they seemed to be ! ' 



At last there came a tinge of blue ! 



'Twas worth the world to me. 



At length the perfume fill'd the room, 

 Shed from their purple wreath ; 



No flower has now so rich a bloom, 

 Has now so sweet a breath. 



I gathered two or three they seemed 



Such rich gifts to bestow ; 

 So precious in my sight, [ deemed 



That all must think them so. 



Ah ! who is there, but would be 'ain 

 To be a child once more ; 



If future years could bring again 

 All that they brought before ? 



My heart's world has been long o'erthrown ; 



It is no more of flowers ; 

 Their bloom is past ; their breath is flown ; 



Yet I recall those hours. 



