ets 
Joht 
ight, 
en [al 
POETRY OF FLOWERS. 299 

For they have a voice like ours, 
“The breath of the blind-girl closes 
* The leaves of the saddening roses, 
“We are, we are sons of light, 
* We shrink from this child of night, 
* From the grasp of the blind-girl free us, 
‘** We yearn for the eyes that see us, 
“ We are, for the night, too gay, 
“Tn your eyes we behold the day,” 
—O buy,—O buy the flowers! 
THE WATER-LILY. 
Ox! beautiful thon art, 
Thou sculpture-like and stately River-queen ! 
Crowning the depths, as with the light serene 
Of a pure heart. 
Bright Lily of the wave ; 
Rising in fearless grace with every swell, 
‘Thou seem’st as if a spirit meekly brave 
Dwelt in thy cell: 
Lifting aloft thy head 
OF placid beauty, feminine yet free, 
Whether with foam or picture azure spread 
The waters be. 


