POETRY OF FLOWERS, 
145 
TO THE SNOWDROP. 
Beneath the changeful skies of early sprincr 
Emblem of human life, and frail as fair, 
Pale visitant of earth, 
I mark thy modest bloom. 
Herald of brighter scenes and calmer joys. 
When the sweet lark, enamoured of the dawn. 
Above the cottage roof 
Shall pour his melting lay ; 
Tliough surly Winter passing from the plain 
Pieluctant with his storms (while, rude and wild 
Stern desolation marks 
His long and lonely track). 
Oft wraps thy beauty in a wreath of snow. 
And gems with icicles that faintly shine 
Below with imaged beam 
Thy cold but lovely brow ; 
T see thee smile like innocence at fate. 
Beneath his idle rage and parting storms. 
Secure of happier hours 
And skies without a cloud. 
K 
121 
