123 
rOETE,Y OF FLOWERS. 
THE VIOLET. 
A VIOLET blossomed on the green, 
With lowly stem, and bloom unseen ; 
It was a sweet, wee flower, 
A shepherd maiden came that way 
With lightsome step, and aspect gay. 
Came near, came near. 
Came o’er the green with song. 
Ah ! thought the violet, might I bo 
The fairest flower on all the lea, 
Ah ! but for one brief hour ; 
And might be pluck’d by that dear maid, 
And gently on her bosom laid, 
Ah but, ah but, 
A few dear moments long, 
Alas ! the maiden, as she pass’d. 
No eye upon the violet cast; 
She crush’d the poor, wee flower ; 
It sank, and dying, heaved no sigh. 
And if I die, at least I die 
By her, by her. 
Beneath her feet I die. 
