62 POETRY OF THE ROSE. 



falling snow-flake, in the glittering splendor of a whole land- 

 scape encased with ice, and the rose-bushes bending under the 

 weight of their gem-like covering. And when the bonds of 

 winter are loosened, and the plant, just awakening from its long 

 sleep, begins to put forth its energies, it is poetry to watch the grad- 

 ual swelling of the leaf-bud, the first appearance of the delicate 

 leaflets, and the full development of the mature leaf and branch. 

 And when the sun's rays are becoming more powerful, and the 

 infant bud appears, it is poetry to watch the gradual unfolding 

 of the flowers, the opening of the calyx to its ruby-pointed in- 

 mate, the appearance of the beautifully formed bud, and the full 

 expansion of the perfect flower. At midsummer, too, it is poetry 

 to lie under the shade of a noble forest tree, and gaze upon the 

 various forms of beauty displayed in the roses scattered about 

 the lawn. 



" 'T is poetry to lie 



By the clear brook, where the long bennet dips : 

 To press the rose-bud, in its purity, 

 Unto the burning lips." 



It is this poetry, this appreciation of the various forms of 

 natural beauty that are always around us, which tends, more 

 than anything of earth, to elevate the mind and to improve the 

 moral affections of him who yields himself to their influence. 

 Its effect is truly conservative, and productive of the happiest 

 results, when duly appreciated. 



This species of poetry cannot, however, be readily put upon 

 paper ; it is too etherial to pass under the press. 



The poetry for our purpose we must define to be the graceful 

 expression of a beautiful thought ; and these expressions and 

 thoughts we have gathered from various fields into a bouquet, 

 which we hope will present some features of beauty. Our 

 selections have in some cases been made from collections of 

 fugitive poetry, where the authors' names are not given, and we 

 cannot therefore attach due credit. 



Our object in this work is to interest all ; and we hope that 

 those whose ears are not open to pleasant sounds, will endure 



