THE FLOWER VASE. 
43 
CYPRESS. 
Cypresses. Class 21. — Order 16. 
Disappointed Hopes. 
They came and went like shadows. 
The blessed dreams of youth, 
And they left behind no impress 
Or record of their truth. 
Then the future was all sunshine, 
In gorgeous robes arrayed; 
But ever as I’ve reached it, 
Its sunshine turned to shade. 
I’ve seen the colors fading 
From all that I could prize, 
Like day’s departing glories 
From out the sunset skies. 
And full roughly I have ridden 
The stormy tide of life, 
And long years have passed in struggling, 
In bitterness and strife. 
T. B. Thayer. 
