152 
LlLI LS. 
Nor see within the dark embrace, 
What latent loveliness it holds. 
Yet in that bulb, those sapless scales. 
The Lily wraps her silver vest, 
Till vernal suns and vernal gales. 
Shall kiss once more her fragrant breast. 
Yes, hide beneath the mouldering heap 
The undelighting slighted thing; 
There in the cold earth buried deep. 
In silence let it wait the spring. 
Oh ! many a stormy night shall close 
In gloom upon the barren earth, 
While still in undisturbed repose, 
Uninjured lies the future birth ; 
And Ignorance, with sceptic eye, 
Hope’s patient smile shall wondering view. 
Or mock her fond credulity, 
As her soft tears the spot bedew. 
Sweet smile of Hope, delicious tear, 
The sun, the shower indeed shall come, 
The promised verdant shoot appear, 
And nature bid her blossom bloom. 
And thou, O virgin queen of spring ! 
Shalt, from thy dark and lowly bed, 
