n- 
THE FLOKAL GIFT. 
—3S 
67 
HOUSTONIA. 
Houstonia Cxrulia .—Class 4, Order 1. 
A little blue flower, common all over the hills of New Eng¬ 
land, blossoming early in May. 
1 
CONTENT. 
The swan upon the moonlit lake, 
May plume its silver wing; 
The wild bird, in the silent brake, 
A mournful chaunt may sing. 
The maiden, in her father’s hall, 
May trill some olden lay ; 
Yet, shepherd-boy, in cottage wall, 
Can pipe as well as they. 
Give me the life the shepherd leads; 
I’d never ask for more 
Than the breezy mountain-path he treads, 
Sweet rest, when toil is o’er ;— 
Fresh waters, from affection’s well, 
With health’s unfading beam ; 
And fountain hearts, with wine to swell, 
In one cool, gushing stream. 
*---.-:-X 
