Evening Primrose. 309 



situations, and producing plants wherever the seed scatters 

 itself- The stem does not die completely down, even in the 

 open air ; and when protected in a conservatory, it becomes 

 a n evergreen shrub, singular by its waved foliage, beautiful by 

 jts yellow blossoms, delightful for its perfume, and curious be- 

 cause its flowers only open 



" When weary peasants, at the close of day, 



Walk to their cots, and part upon the way; 



When cattle slowly cross the shallow brook, 



And shepherds pen their folds and rest upon their crook." 



EVENING PRIMROSE. 



" The sun his latest ray has shed, 

 The wild-bird to its nest has sped, 

 And buds that to the day-beam spread 



Their brightest glow, 

 Incline their dew-besprinkled head 



In slumber now. 



Then why art thon lone vigils keeping, 

 Pale flower, when all besides are sleeping ? 

 Are not the same soft zephyrs sweeping 



Each slender stem, 

 And the same opiate dew-drops steeping 



Both thee and them ? 



Eve is my noon — at this still hour 

 When softly sleeps each sister flower, 

 Sole watcher of the dusky bower 



I joy to be, 

 And conscious feel the pale moon shower 



Her light on me. 



Soon as meek Evening veils the sky, 



. And wildly fresh her breeze flits by, 



And on my breast the dew drops lie, 



I feel to live, 

 And what is mine of fragrancy 



I freely give. 



Say, thou who thus dost question me, 

 Wouldst thou from earth's dull cares be free, 

 O listen, and I'll counsel thee 



Wisely to shun 

 Tumult, and glare, and vanity, 



As I have done. 



