20 FABLES OF FLORA. 
‘ Dearest,’ the lover said, ‘ Go bring 
The fairest flower thine eye can see; 
And we will call the simple thing 
An emblem of thy love for me.’ 
By roses bright, by lilies fair, 
By crimson columbines she sped; 
For murmurs, floating in the air, 
Her footsteps to a fountain led. 
’T was bordered round with gleaming moss, 
On which the sparkling dewdrops lay; 
And waving shadows fell across, 
Beflecked with many a golden ray. 
One little shining tuft alone 
The maiden to her lover brought; 
‘ And is this all! ’ he said. 4 Mine own, 
Methinks thou hast but idly sought 1 ’ 
‘ Ah 1 wreaths of flowers I might have wove, 
Beside thy bloomy-bordered creek; 
But’t was an emblem of my love , 
Beloved, that thou bad’st me seek 
‘ These flowers, though beautiful, would fade ; 
But this green moss, through all the year, 
Still wears the same unchanging shade, 
Yet greener when the flowers are sear. 
