183S-30. ORIGIN OF THE SNOWDROP. 181 



pass through their several stages till they reach perfection, so 

 we feel, in the heart and in the head, warmly and with realiz- 

 ing conviction, that another year is given to us by the Giver of 

 all good. 



" I have but time to add that it is quite arranged that I leave 

 the Laboratory in the latter end of April ; this is all settled, and 

 it is all that is settled ; so be sure I'll not in this thing disap- 

 point. My M.D. degree will oblige me to come home." 



We append the verses of which the preceding letter speaks. 



" ORIGIN OF THE SNOWDROP. 



" No fading flowers in Eden grew, 



Nor Autumn's withering spread 

 Among the trees a browner hue, 



To show the leaves were dead ; 

 But through the groves and shady dells, 

 Waving their bright immortal bells, 

 Were amaranths and asphodels, 

 Undying in a place that knew 

 A golden age the whole year through. 



" But when the angels' fiery brands, 



Guarding the eastern gate, 

 Told of a broken law's commands, 



And agonies that came too late ; 

 With ' longing, lingering ' wish to stay, 

 And many a fond but vain delay 

 That could not wile her grief away, 

 Eve wandered aimless o'er a world 

 On which the wrath of God was hurled. 



" Then came the Spring's capricious smile, 



And Summer sunlight warmed the air, 

 And Autumn's riches served a while 



To hide the curse that lingered there ; 

 Till o'er the once untroubled sky 

 Quick driven clouds began to fly, 

 And moaning zephyrs ceased to sigh, 

 When Winter's storms in fury burst 

 Upon a world indeed accurst. 



" And when at last the driving snow, 



A strange, ill-omened sight, 

 Came whitening all the plains below, 



To trembling Eve it seemed affright 

 With shivering cold and terror bowed 



