THE POETRY OF FLOWERS. 
17 
Shall turn to the source of Truth’s far-beaming 
rays; 
O now blest, how triumphant, shall be our 
emotion, 
When the bright ‘ Sun of Righteousness’ bursts 
on our gaze. 
-♦— 
THE ROSE AND THE GAUNTLET. 
BY JOHN STERLING. 
Low spake the Knight to the peasant girl, 
“ I tell thee sooth—I am belted Earl; 
Fly with me from this garden small, 
And thou shall sit in my castle’s hall. 
“ Thou shalt have pomp, and wealth, and 
pleasure, 
Joys beyond thy fancy’s measure ; 
Here with my sword and horse I stand, 
To bear thee away to my distant land. 
“Take, thou fairest! this full-blown rose, 
A token of Love that as ripely blows.’’ 
With his glove of steel he plucked the token, 
But it fell from his gauntlet crushed and broken. 
