FAREWELL TO THE FLOWERS. 
Go to your peaceful rest, 
Friends of a brighter hour, 
Jewels on youthful beauty’s breast, 
Lights of the hall and bower ; 
Well have ye done your part, 
Fair children of the sky, 
We’ll keep your memory in our heart, 
When low in dust ye lie. 
Your gladness in our joy, 
Your smile beside our way, 
Your gentle service round our bed 
Of sickness and decay, 
Your rainbow on the cloud, 
Your sympathy in pain ; 
We’ll keep the memory of your deeds 
Until we meet again. 
Rest from the blush of love ; 
Rest from the blight of care, 
From the sweet nursing of your buds, 
And from the nipping air ; 
Rest from the fever-thirst 
Of summer’s noontide heat, 
From coiling worm, and rifling hand, 
That vex’d your lone retreat. 
If e’er ye thrilled with pride, 
When the admirer knelt, 
Or on the lowly look’d with scorn, 
Which man for man hath felt ; 
If through your bosoms pure 
Hath aught like evil flowed, 
(Since folly may with angels dwell,) 
Rest from that painful load. 
