THE FLOWRING RUSH IN CANADA 



The flowers have a mission to mankind. 



Yet when their hosts have reached the season's height 



Our sated human sense, with bounty blind, forgets the light 



That never fails of beauteous change: Feeling life's burdens bind 



We mortals grow indifferent — till comes a challenge kind. 



That Challenge sense translates; when heard aright 



We turn with "Master! Lord! dispelled our night: 



So 'twas we saw a stately flower bending in the wind. 



A stately flower stranger to our common way. 



On river banks in lovely Canada, recalled papyrus linked with Egypt 

 old, 



And Moses' basket hidden carefully: (A child again we heard the story 

 told.) 



Oh baffling flower in your stately dress, with rush-like leaves of green 



from ruddy stalks, 

 Your tea-rose petals in a nimbus spread, and yet your gracious name 



our memory mocks. 

 Whence have you come? How travelled here today? 

 And hast thou come to Canada from Eastern lands, we pray you say! 

 You only sway and nod to whispering winds, to sun's reflected gold. 



If now, from lands far East, and missed where once you grew 

 To loved America on God's free soil 

 Thou art come, by birds or planted by man's toil 

 How'er it chance, we know God willed it so. He also knew 

 What pulses beat within, when scattered, few 

 The little bands of exiles came from lands of hate and toil 

 To make 'neath fairer skies a finer growth the years should not despoil. 

 When garnered in the reaping of the Lord — the perfect plant; the 

 Race — to purpose true ! 



Butomus Umbellatus 

 Introduced into Canada from Eastern Europe and the East. 



