106 
FABLES OF FLORA. 
From scorching beams, in kindly mood, 
The Persian plants its beauty screened; 
„ And on its pagan sisterhood 
In love the Christian floweret leaned. 
With tears of joy, the wanderer felt 
The darkness of his long despair 
Before that hallowed symbol melt, 
Which God’s dear love had nurtured there. 
From Nature’s face, that simple flower 
The lines of sin and sadness swept; 
And Magian pile and Paynim bower 
In peace, like that of Eden, slept. 
Each Moslem tomb, and cypress old, 
Looked holy through the sunset air; 
And, angel-like, the Muezzin told 
From tower and mosque the hour of prayer. 
With cheerful steps, the morrow’s dawn 
From Shiraz saw the stranger part j 
The Star-flower of the Virgin-born 1 
Still blooming in his hopeful heart! 
John G. Whittieb, 
