FABLES OP FLORA. 
* Oft he passed the blossoms by, 
And gazed on me with kindly looks 
Left flaunting flowers and open sky, 
And wooed me by the shady brook. 
And, like the brook, his voice was low; 
So soft, so sad the words he spoke, 
That with the stream they seemed to flows 
They told me that his heart was broke. 
****** 
That I was of a lowly frame, 
And far more constant than the flower 
Which, vain with many a boastful name, 
But fluttered out its idle hours 
That I was kind to old decay, 
And wrapt it softly round in green s 
On naked root, and trunk of gray, 
Spread out a garniture and screen. 
He praised my varied hues — the green, 
The silver hoar, the golden, brown ; 
Said, lovelier hues were never seen s 
Then gently pressed my tender down.' 
FABLE XXXV. 
The Lichen and the Cardinal Flower. 
‘ A fairy life that bright flower leads, 
Surrounded by the dark blue stream! 
Now bending where the wave recedes, 
Now blushing in the sun’s warm beam. 
