S8 THE FOETRV ( F FLOWERS. 
the; violet. 
FROM THE GERMAN OF GOETHE. 
A violet blossom’d on the green. 
With lowly stem, and bloom unseen: 
It was a sweet, low flower. 
A shepherd maiden came that way, 
With lightsome step and aspect gay, 
Came near, came near, 
Came o’er the green with song. 
Ah ! thought the violet, might I be 
The fairest flower on all the lea, 
Ah ! but for one brief hour ; 
And might be plucked by that dear matd, 
And gently on her bosom laid, 
Ah ! but, ah! but 
A few dear moments long. 
Alas! the maiden, as she pass’d, 
No eye upon the violet cast; 
She crush’d the poor, wee flower; 
It sank, and dying, heaved no sigh, 
And if I die, at least I die 
By her, by her, 
Beneath her feat I die. 
