Hmus Calamus. 
173 
In close scale-armour, that was all 
Of starry flowers made. 
If you could fancy fairy folk 
Would mimic works of ours, 
You’d think their dainty fingers here 
Had wrought mosaic flowers. 
i 
The tiny petals, neatly formed, 
With geometric skill, 
Are each one so exactly shaped, 
Its proper place to fill. 
And stamens, like fine golden dust, 
Spangle the flowerets green; 
Aught more compact and beautiful, 
Mine eyes have never seen! 
How well I know when first I met 
The Sweet Flag’s graceful form; 
’Twas on a glowing summer’s day, 
Mid hearts as bright and warm. « 
Mid hearts as warm as sunny gleams, 
And eyes as kind and bright, 
And spirits that, like sunshine too* 
Are cheering, loved, and light. 
We gathered there the Acorus 
From Claremont’s quiet lake; 
And home with me, full many a miile, 
I did the pale flower take. 
