106 SHORT-LIVED BEAUTY. 
HIBISCUS. 
Hibiscus Vesicarius. 
Language — SHORT-LIVED BEAUTY. 
Go, lovely rose, 
Tell her that wastes her time on me, 
That now she knows, 
When I resemble her to thee, 
How sweet and fair she seems to be. 
Then die, that she 
The common fate of all things rare 
May read in thee ; 
How small a part of time they share, 
That are so wondrous sweet and fair. 
Yet, though thou fade, 
From thy dead leaves let fragrance rise, 
And teach the maid 
That goodness time’s rude hand defies; 
That virtue lives when beauty dies. 
Waller. 
Beautiful! Yes ; but the blush will fade, 
The light grow dim which the blue eyes wear, 
The gloss will vanish from curl and braid, 
And the sunbeam die in the waving hair. 
Turn, turn from the mirror, and strive to win 
Treasures of loveliness still to last; 
Gather earth’s glory and bloom within, 
That the soul may be bright when youth is past. 
Mrs. Osgood. 
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