LILIES. 
143 
« CONSIDER THE LILIES OF THE 
FIELD HOW THEY GROW.” 
Matt. vi. 28. 
Sweet nurslings of the vernal skies. 
Bathed in soft airs and fed with dew, 
What more than magic in you lies, 
To fill the heart’s fond view 1 
In childhood’s sports companions gay. 
In sorrow, on life's downward way. 
How soothing ! in our last decay 
Memorials prompt and true. 
Relics ye are of Eden’s bowers. 
As pure, as fragrant, and as fair. 
As when ye crowned the sunshine hours, 
Of happy wanderers there. 
Fallen all beside:—the world of life. 
How is it stained with fear and strife! 
In reason’s world what storms are rife, 
What passions range and glare ! 
Ye dwell beside our paths and homes. 
Our paths of sin, our homes of sorrow. 
And guilty man, where’er he roams. 
Your innocent mirth may borrow. 
The birds of air before us fleet, 
They cannot brook our shame to meet, 
