THE KNIGHT OF THE POLAR STAR 295 



instruction and entertainment of his family lie made the 

 natural clock, the famous dial of flowers, which is one 

 of the subjects which has clung about the popular books 

 on natural history, and kept Linngeus's name fragrant to 

 our generation. Mrs. Hemans's poem on this theme was 

 popular long after her universal popularity had subsided. 



THE DIAL OF FLOWERS. 



'Twas a lovely thought to mark the hours, 



As they floated in light away, 

 By the opening and the folding flowers, 



That laugh to the summer's day. 



Thus had each moment its own rich hue, 



And its graceful cup and bell, 

 In whose coloured vase might sleep the dew, 



Like a pearl in an ocean-shell. 



To such sweet signs might the time have flow'd 



In a golden current on, 

 Ere from the garden, man's first abode, 



The glorious guests were gone. 



So might the days have been brightly told 



Those days of song and dreams 

 When shepherds gather'd their flocks of old 



By the blue Arcadian streams. 



So in those isles of delight, that rest 



Far off in a breezeless main, 

 Which many a bark, with a weary quest, 



Has sought, but still in vain. 



Yet is not life, in its real flight, 



Mark'd thus even thus on earth, 

 By the closing of one hope's delight, 



And another's gentle birth ? 



Oh ! let us live, so that flower by flower, 



Shutting in turn may leave 

 A lingerer still for the sunset hour, 



A charm for the shaded eve. F. D. HEMANS. 



