Jttogaicg 



Floral apostles! that in dewy splendor 



"Weep without woe and blush without a crime," 

 Oh, may I deeply learn and ne'er surrender 

 Your love sublime. 



Thou wert not, Solomon, in all thy glory, 



Arrayed, the lilies cry, in robes like ours. 

 How vain your grandeur I Ah 1 how transitory 

 Are human flowers ! 



In the sweet-scented pictures, heavenly artist, 

 With which Thou paintedst Nature's wide-spread 



hall, 



What a delightful lesson Thou impartedst 

 Of love to all. 



Not useless are ye, Flowers, though made for 



pleasure, 



Blooming o'er field and wave, by day and night, 

 From every source your sanction bids me treasure 

 Harmless delight. 



Ephemeral Sages ! What instructors hoary 



For such a world of thought could furnish scope, 

 Each fading calyx a memento mori 

 And ground of hope. 



Posthumous Glories! Angel-like collection! 



Upraised from seed or bulb interred in earth, 

 Ye are to me a type of resurrection 

 And second birth. 

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