SNOWDROP. 
25 
Spring sighed, and through the driving gale 
Her warm breath caught the falling snow. 
And from the flakes a flower as pale 
Did into spotless whiteness blow ; 
Hope, smiling, saw the blossom fall, 
And watched its root strike in the earth,— 
“I will that flower the Snowdrop cal],” 
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 , 
’Twill cheer me many a lonely hour, 
And in the future I shall see 
Those who would sink, raised by that flower, 
They’ll look on it, then think of thee ; 
And many a weary heart shall sing, 
The Snowdrop bringeth Hope and Spring. 
Z 
