THE POETRY OF FLOWRiS. 
199 
An emblem of that leaf of green 
The faithful dove brought home, 
When o’er the world of waters dark 
Were driven the inmates of the ark. 
That leaf betoken’d freedom nigh 
To mournful captives there; 
Thy flower foretells a sunnier sky, 
And chides the dark despair 
By winter’s chilling influence flutsg 
O’er spirits sunk, and nerves unstrung. 
And sweetly has kind nature’s hand 
Assign’d thy dwelling-place 
Beneath a flower whose blooms expand, 
With fond congenial grace 
On many a desolated pile, 
Bright’ning decay with beauty’s smile. 
Fhine is the flower of Hope, whose hue 
Is bright with coming joy ; 
The wall-flower’s that of faith, too true 
For ruin to destroy ; 
And where, O ! where should hope upspring 
But under faith’s protecting wing. 
