THE FAIRY FLAX, OR FLOWER OF INNOCENCE. 



BY ELIZABETH OAKES SMITH. 



It comes when wakes the pleasant spring, 

 When first the earth is green, — 



Four white or pale blue leaves it hath, 

 With yellow heart between. 



It grows about a heap of stones, 

 For there the dew will stay — 



It springs beside the dusty road, 

 Where children are at play. 



It dots with stars the grassy bank 

 That slopes adown the brook, — 



And there it takes a deeper blue, 

 And there a fresher look. 



On upland sod when doomed to bloom, 

 Its leaves are small and white, 



As if it shrank within itself 

 And paled amid the light. 



