POETRY OF FLOWERS. 51 
THE REAPER AND THE FLOWERS. 
Taere is a Reaper, whose name is Death, 
And, with his sickle keen, 
He reaps the bearded grain ata breath, 
And the flowers that grow between. 
« Shall I have nought that is fair !’? saith he; 
“Have nought but the bearded grain ! 
Though the breath of these flowers is sweet to me, 
I will give them all back again.” 
He gazed at the flowers with tearful eyes, 
He kissed their drooping leaves ; 
It was for the Lord of Paradise 
He bound them in his sheaves. 
‘My Lord hath need of these flowrets gay,” 
The Reapear said and smiled; 
“Dear tokens of the earth are they, 
Where he was once a child. 
“ They shall all bloom in fields of light, 
Transplanted by my care, 
And saints upon their garments white, 
These sacred blossoms wear.” 










