214 
HAREBELL. 
“ And the reason that flow’rets before him 
give way 
“Is because they all hate him and shrink 
from his sway. 
“ To stay near him long would be fading or 
death, 
“ For he scatters a pest with his venomous 
breath ; 
“ While the flowers that you fancy are 
crowding you there, 
“ Spring round you, delighted your converse 
to share : 
“ His flame-colour’d robe is imposing,’tis true ; 
“ Yet, who likes it so well as your mantle of 
blue 1 
“ For we know that ofinnocence one is the vest, 
“ The other the cloak of a treacherous breast. 
“ I see your surprise—but I know him full well, 
“ And have number’d his victims, as fading 
they fell; 
“ He blighted twin Violets that under him lay, 
“ And poison’d a sister of mine the same day !” 
The Primrose was silent—The Harebell ’tis 
said, 
Inclined for a moment her beautiful head ; 
But quickly recovered her spirits and then 
Declared that she ne’er should feel envy again. 
