REED, FLOWERING, 
Confidence in Heaven. 
A FABLE. 
Said a shower to the sunshine, as they met upon the breast 
Of a silver-winged cloud that was sailing to the west, 
“Take back that gay and mocking smile to light your 5r ° P “ 5 
What hath the haughty beam of Heaven to do with Nature s tear. 
“She weeps! Fond Nature weeps to see her blooming children lie, 
Half withered, ’neath the rays of fire that dazzle from your eye. 
The blushing petals of the rose—the vestal lily-bell, 
Have felt your burning influence, and shrink beneath your spell. 
“From them, and from the myriad-blooms that spring ’neath summer si 
I heard within my cool, soft home, a chorus sweet arise 
A chorus of faint voices, as if the flower-sylphs lay, 
Sighing their last, warm, balmy breath, in that low prayer away. 
“They sang—‘Oh! sportive cloudlet! that floatest gaily by, 
Like a white dove with breast of down, and wings of silver dye, 
Unfurl those gleaming pinions swift, and shake from every plume 
Its liquid wealth, to cool our brows and wake our rich perfume. 
“The cloud has heard, and sent me forth to do my mission sweet: 
Back to your radiant throne of light, nor stay my flashing feet! 
“Nay, shower!” said the sunshine, with a witching smile of love, 
“Do not quarrel with the playfellow that’s sent you from above! 
“See! I have wreathed your dwelling with a chain of glowing gold, 
And shed a gleam of glory into every snowy fold. . 
An angel bade me hasten here, your cloud-bark to illume, 
And seek, with you, the blossoms, that are withering in their bloom. 
• 
“Let us go to earth together! I will not harm the flowers; 
I will but smile upon them, while you plash amid their bowers; 
They’ll tremble at your chilly touch, and droop the blooming brow, 
Tf sunshine dn not warm them with its light and loving glow.” 
