96 
THE SNOWDROP. 
circumstances are so dark as to be unsuscep¬ 
tible of relief. 
ILLUSTRATION OP THE SENTIMENT. 
A thousand bright flowers shall gladden the earth, 
When summer comes forth in her beauty and mirth; 
Yet none more delightful imaginings bring, 
Than those that are first in our pathway to spring. 
Undaunted thou comest, mid snow and mid sleet, 
Prom earth’s sheltering bosom, thy winter’s retreat; 
Thou comest, the herald of pleasures to be. 
Of the scent of the rosebud, the hum of the bee. 
Thou art not of those who delight in the rays, 
The sunny resplendence of summer’s glad days ; 
Nor of those who look up to the bright sides of June, 
Yet fold up their beauty beneath the mild moon ! 
Of such art not thou ; no, an emblem more dear, 
Of the friend that is kindest when sorrow is near; 
The storm doth not crush thee, the rain doth not blight; 
And thou pointest, like hope, to a season more bright. 
M. 
