THE FLORAL OFFERING. 
“So teach me, Heavenly Father, 
To meet each flying hour! 
That as they go, they may not show 
My heart a poison-flower. 
“So when Death brings its shadows, 
The hours that linger last, 
Shall bear my hopes on angel wings, 
Unfettered by the Past.” 
MARYGOLD. The star of Earth. 
If when my star, in Love’s despite, 
Withdraws her beauty from the Night, 
I sometimes light, to cheer my way, 
An earthly lamp’s less sacred ray; 
Think not its beam eclipses thine! 
In Memory’s heaven thou still dost shine. 
And oh! when once again afar, 
I see thee smile, my idol-star! 
How pale, how poor that earth-born ray 
Beside thy spirit’s heavenly play! 
F. S. O. 
THE STAR’S REPLY. 
“Thou bad’st me shine—and when my ray 
Won thee to thoughts of Heaven, 
From earth and ‘ care and toil away,’ 
My light was freely given. 
“Wouldst thou a star’s love-beam retain 
To guide thine earthly way? 
Then know—thy thoughts must pure remain 
‘Beneath its heavenly ray.’ ” 
