202 Dirge of Flowers. 



excessive frigidity of the atmosphere. While under the equatorial 

 sun both kingdoms are, as a general rule, dressed in primeval 

 fiimpicity ; and a little minute examination will show us that this 

 rule holds even as it regards the free transmission of perspira- 

 tion through the cuticle and other arrangements for the regulation 

 of temperature. 



Dirge of Flowers. 



BY MRS. HEMANS. 



Bring Flowers to the captive's lonely cell— r 

 They have tales of the joyous woods to tell, 

 Of the free blue streams and the glowing sky, 

 And the bright world shut from his languid eye ; 

 They will bear him a thought of the sunny hours, 

 And a dream of his youth — bring flowers, wild flowers. 



Bring flowers, fresh flowers, for the bride to wear, 



They were born to blush on her shining hair : 



She is leaving the home of her childish mirth, 



She has bid- farewell to her father's hearth, 



Her place is now by another's side ; — 



Bring flowers for the locks of the fair young bride. 



Bring flowers, pale flowers, o'er the bier to shed, — 

 A crown for the brow of the early dead. 

 For this through its leaves has the white Rose burst; 

 For this in the woods was the Violet nurst : 

 Though they smile in vain for what once was ours, 

 They are love's last gift— bring flowers, pale flowers. 



Bring flowers to the shrine where we kneel in prayer, — 



They are nature's off'ring, their place is there: 



They speak of hope to the fainting heart ; 



"With the voice of promise they come and part ; ' 



They sleep in dust through the wintry hours; 



Then break forth in glory :— bring flowers, bright flowers. 



