NATURAL HISTORY READER. 



THE SENSITIVE-PLANT. 



1. A sensitive-plant in a garden grew, 



And the young winds fed it with silver dew, 

 And it opened its fandike leaves to the light, 

 And closed them beneath the kisses of night. 



2. And the Spring arose on the garden fair, 

 And the Spirit of Love fell everywhere ; 



And each flower and herb on earth's dark breast 

 Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest. 



3. But none ever trembled and panted with bliss 

 In the garden, the field, or the wilderness, 



Like a doe in the noontide with love's sweet want. 

 As the companionless sensitive-plant. 



4. The snowdrop, and then the violet, 



Arose from the ground with warm rain wet, 

 And their breath was mixed with fresh odor sent 

 From the turf, like the voice and the instrument. 



5. Then the pied windflowers and tulip tall, 

 And narcissi, the fairest among them all, 

 Who gaze on their eyes in the stream's recess, 

 Till they die of their own dear loveliness ; 



6. And the Naiaddikc lily of the vale, 



Whom youth makes so fair and passion so pale, 

 That the light of its tremulous bells is seen 

 Through their pavilions of tender green ; 



7. And the hyacinth purple, and white, and blue, 

 Which flung from its bells a sweet peal anew 

 Of music so delicate, soft, and intense, 



It was felt like an odor within the sense ; 



