FABLES OF FLORA. 
TIIE FRINGED GENTIAN. 
The Fringed Gentian is an American wild- 
flower of exquisite beauty. It blossoms late in 
the season, when nearly all the other flowers 
have departed. Bryant has given it celebrity in 
one of his beautiful little poems. 
‘ Thou blossom, bright with autumn dew, 
Ahd colored with the heaven’s own blue, 
That openest when the quiet light 
Succeeds the keen and frosty night, 
Thou comest not when violets lean 
O’er wandering brooks and springs unseen; 
Or columbines, in purple drest, 
Nod o’er the ground-bird’s hidden nest. 
Thou whitest late, and com'st alone. 
When woods are bare, and birds are flown, 
And frosts and shortening days portend 
The aged year is near at end.’ 
FABLE II. 
The Gentian. 
A little Gentian blossom stood 
Half hidden in the deep green wood; 
A spring gushed softly by its side; 
The spent breeze wandered here, and died. 
