Forewords 39 



Fleur-de-Lis 



Blue of the skies, 



Pink of sunrise, 



Red of the sunset-glow, 



Purple so bold, 



Yellow of gold, 



White of the driven snow; 



Solid and dashed, 



Veined and splashed, 



Mottled and reticulated, 



Suffused, o'erlaid, 



Bordered and rayed 



All colors and shades collated. 



Wondrous flower of song and story, 

 Earthly rival of the rainbow's glory, 

 Elegant in all its lines 

 As the pride of tropic climes, 

 Light and airy as the fleecy cloud 

 That can scarce the sunbeams shroud, 

 Hardy, contented where'er it may be, 

 Sunshine or shadow, in garden or lea, 

 Fragrant, stately but replete with grace- 

 Flora's lovers should all give it place. 



Walter Stager. 



