PHANTOM FLOWERS. 47 



PHANTOM FLOWERS. 



ENTWIKED AKOUND A CK0S3. 



They are spirits of flowers that blossomed and died 

 Long since in the garden — its beauty and pride ; 

 Yet they rise from corruption, in robes new and bright, 

 As vision-like phantoms, all spotless and white. 



Gay bodies we knew have gone down to decay ; 

 With the Winter's first breath they have withered away ; 

 But a change has come o'er them, and dream-like and fair. 

 The features that marked them they once again wear. 



The same wondrous tissue, the outline and grace 

 Of each tiny leaflet and blossom we trace, 

 True type of ourselves, whose poor bodies shall rise 

 From the grave of corruption, the heirs of the skies. 



Dear sign of our hope, of salvation the key. 



The purest of offerings thy chaplet shall be ; 



Of blossoms unfading, from heavenly bowers. 



We twine round the Cross phantom leaflets and flowers. 



