THE SNOWDROP. 173 
Hope, smiling, saw the blossom fall, 
And watched its root strike in the earth : 
“I will that flower the Snowdrop call,” 
Said Hope, “in memory of its birth: 
And through all ages it shall be 
In reverence held, for love of me.” 
“ And ever from my hidden bowers,” 
Said Spring, “ it first of all shall go, 
And be the herald of the flowers, 
To warn away the sheeted snow ; 
Its mission done, then by thy side 
All summer long it shall remain. 
While other flowers I scatter wide, 
O’er every hill, and wood, and plain, 
This shall return, and ever be 
A sweet companion, Hope, for thee.” 
Hope stooped and kissed her sister Spring, 
And said, “For hours, when thou art gone, 
I’m left alone without a thing 
That I can fix my heart upon; 
