FLOWERS. 



She brought rich flowers to our cottage home — 

 Rare blossoms, grown upon no common stem ; 



Our little ones into the parlor come, 

 Stealing to gaze at them. 



They last all through the sweeten'd week, and raise 

 The benediction of their breathing psalm. 



From them, and from the living flowers that gaze, 

 We drink renewing balm. 



Children and flowers lie very near to God, 



And Heaven with them is but a short remove : 



They yield us glimpses of the blest abode. 

 And win us with its love. 



If thou would'st charm me with the wine of thought, 

 And give sweet inspiration to my hours, 



A.nd wake the melodies of Heaven taught — 

 Oh, bring the chaliced flowers i 



Robert Leighton. 



