

THE BOUQUET. 87 

PARSLEY, 
APIUM PETROSELINUM. 
Feasting, Hntertainment. 
THERE was a feast that night, 
And colored lamps sent forth their odorous light 
Over gold carvings, and the purple fall 
Of tapestry ; and around each stately hall 
Were statues pale, and delicate, and fair, 
As all of beauty, save her blush, were there ; 
And, like light clouds, floating around each room, 
The censers sent their breathings of perfume ; 
And scented waters mingled with the breath 
Of flowers that died as they rejoiced in death. 
The tulip, with its globe of rainbow light; 
The red rose, as it languished with delight ; 
The bride-like hyacinth, drooping as with shame, 
And the anemone, whose cheek of flame 
Is golden, as it were the flower the sun, 
In his noon hour, most loved to look upon. 
At first, the pillared halls were still and lone, 
As if some fairy palace, all unknown 

To mortal eye or step: — This was not long — 
Wakened the lutes, and rose the sound of song; 
And the wide mirrors glittered with the crowd 
Of changing shapes: the young, the fair, the proud, 
Came thronging in. L. E. Lanpon. 




