Floral Poetry. 
ORIGIN OF THE SNOWDROR 
H O fading flowers in Eden grew, 
Nor Autumn’s withering spread, 
Among the trees, a browner hue, 
To show the leaves were dead : 
But through the groves and shady dells, 
Waving their bright immortal bells, 
Were Amaranths and Asphodels, 
Undying in a place that knew 
A golden age the whole year through. 
But when the angel’s fiery bands, 
Guarding the eastern gate, 
Told of a broken law’s commands, 
And agonies that came too late :— 
With “ longing, lingering” wish to stay, 
And many a fond but vain delay 
That could not wile her grief away, 
Eve wandered aimless o’er a world 
On which the wrath of God was hurled. 
Then came the Spring’s capricious smile, 
And Summer sunlight warmed the air, 
And Autumn’s riches served a while 
To hide the curse that lingered there ; 
Till o’er the once untroubled sky 
Quick driven clouds began to fly, 
And moaning Zephyrs ceased to sigh, 
When Winter’s storms in fury burst 
Upon a world indeed accurst. 
