36 



THE POETRY OF FLOWERS. 



ILOWERING RUSH. 



CONFIDENCE IN HEAVEN. 



Oit, there is solemn peace, and strength sublime, 



And holy fortitude, and deep sweet rest, 

 In all our thoughts and visions of that clime 



Where dwell the spiriti of the Wed and blest. 

 In eyery hue of gladsome be.iuty dre.t, 



They come across our hearts like gleams of Ii:;ht, 

 Fraught with amission, at God's high behest — 



A mission to relieve our mental sight 

 By glimpses of a life where all is calm and bright. 



FORGET-ME-NOT. 



A very pretty, but minute flower, growing by the 

 bivok-sides. Colour, sky blue. 



TRUE LOVE. 



CivK not to weary thought the love 



That should be solely mine ; 

 Kor tire thee of the shrinking dove 



Thou call'st so fondly thine. 

 I know my words are weak and sm.ill- 



For mind like thine unmeet ; 

 But I have love beyond them all. 



To lavish at thy feet. 



Nay, heed it not, this foolbh tear 



That trembles in mine eye ; 

 It always comes when thou art here, — 



1 know not how or why. 

 It is not grief, or pain, or joy, — 



It comes of love, may be ; 

 Then do not thou the spell destroy — 



'Tis bliss to weep for thee I 



GENTIAN. 



A veiT beautiful autumn wild flower, of a deep bit 

 colour, with delicately fringed petals. 



VIRGIN PRIDE. 



AixrsK and pure my life shall be, 

 A vestal flame from passion free ; 



(nwoii, un.iooej liy human love, 

 31y heart thall fix its hopes above. 



Approach me not with tempting wil.s- 

 My lip denies thee while it smiles ; 

 In virgin libertv and peace 

 I will live out my mortal lease. 



GERANIUM, SCENTED. 



Leaves rose-scented. Flosvers puiplish pink. 



PliEFERENCE. 



Others may wear a gayer smi!e. 



And speak in richer tones ; 

 But ah ! my heart, my heart, the while. 



Each spell save thine disowns. 



Dearer to me one word of thine 



Than all that others speak ; 

 Jty heart I lay upon thy shrine — 



Accept it ere it break. 



GERANIUM, SILVER-LEAVED. 



This has a beautiful silvery leaf. 



Come back ! oh come ! The pMt shall be 



A cloud fore'er removed ; 

 Come back, and in my welcome see 



How thou art still beloved. 



I rtrove in vain to bid my heart 



Forget its early dream ; 

 For, ah ! the dream would not depart. 



And thou wert still its theme. 



Come back, r.nd never more shall doubt 



Or cold distrust be mine ; 

 Mr heart hath cast tlicsc demons out. 



And now is wholly thine. 



