THE FLOWER VASE. 
105 
OLEANDER. 
Neritjm. Class 5.—Order 2. 
A beautiful flowered exotic. It grows to the size of a 
small tree. 
Beware! 
I know they have pleaded, the friends that are 
round thee; 
I know they have warned thee, entreated and 
wept; 
They have shown thee the guile in the spel! that 
hath bound thee, 
And the serpent whose coils round thy spirit 
have crept. 
Yet still the grim cavern yawns wide to receive 
thee, 
And now while no terrors thy spirit oppress, 
I urge this last prayer, not to frighten or grieve thee, 
Oh, no! blit to save thee, redeem thee, and bless. 
I pray thee, beseech thee, if e'er thou hast loved 
me, 
By all our past sorrows, and trials, and tears, 
By all the caprices witn which thou hast proved 
me, 
Return to the truth of thine earlier years! 
