











THE BOUQUET. 
ne ec 
ROSE — CHINA. 
ROsA MULTIFLORA. 
Grace, 

O, say not, wisest of all the kings 
That have risen on Israel’s throne to reign, — 
Say not, as one of your wisest things, 
" That grace is false, and beauty vain! 
Is beauty vain, because it will fade? 
Then are earth’s green robe and heaven’s light 
vain ; 
For this shall be lost in evening’s shade, 
And that in winter’s sleety rain. 
But earth’s green mantle, pranked with flowers, 
Is the couch where life with joy reposes ; 
And heaven gives down, with its light and show- 
ers, 
To regale them, fruits —to deck them, roses. 
And while opening flowers in such beauty spread, 
And ripening fruits so gracefully swing, — 
Say not, O king, as you just now said, 
That beauty or grace is a worthless thing, 
PIERPONT. 
pe 
