FLOWERS. 
“ Fairest of Nature’s offspring ! When the mind 
Has dwelt full long upon her grander forms, 
The skies now bathed in light, now dark with storms — 
The sea, that like a crystal zone doth bind 
Earth’s solid frame, — or hills which seemed designed 
To prop the ethereal arch, — 'tis passing sweet 
Downward to glance and see ye at our feet 
Nestling in quiet beauty, leaf-enslirin’d. 
The mead, the hedge-row seem your fittest home ; 
But be it where it may, or rock’s rude breast. 
Or gloomy cavern, like the wreathed foam 
On the vex’d billow, or the waving crest 
On warrior’s dinted helm, so your meek bloom 
Can even terror with a charm invest. 
But other spell methinks than beauty's power 
Binds ye to human bosoms ; ye appear 
To share our moods ; ye have for grief a tear 
When evening bends ye ’ncath her dewy shower. 
For mirth a smile when morning’s shining hour 
Decks ye with light and gladness ; on the dead 
How oft your sweetest iucencc do ye shed. 
And strew, as is most meet, the bridal bower ! 
Ye love the sunny brow of youth to bind, 
To see gay childhood sport your haunts among ; 
But most when years leave childhood far behind, 
In strains as ‘ moral as the preacher's tongue,’ 
Ye love to raise and purify the mind. 
And wean us from the world’s deluding throng.” 
Bath and Cheltenham Gazette. 
May 29, 1K38. 
