



52 The Poetry of Flowers. 





























And nearer to the river’s trembling edge 
There grew broad flag-flowers, purple prankt with 
And starry river-buds among the sedge, [ white, 
And floating Water-lilies, broad and bright, 
Which lit the oak that overhung the hedge 
With moonlight beams of their own watery light ; 
And bulrushes and reeds of such deep green ¥ 
As soothed the dazzled eye with sober sheen. 
Methought that of these visionary flowers 
I made a nosegay, bound in such a way 
That the same hues which in their natural bowers 
Were mingied or opposed, the like array 
Kept these imprisoned children of the hours 
Within my hand,—and then, elate and gay, 
I hastened to the spot whence I had come, 
That I might there present it !—Oh! to whom ? 
— 
CUPID INSPIRING PLANTS WITH LOVE. 
BY DYER. 
TEEMING with Nature's lively hues, 
I bid thee welcome, genial Spring ; 
While fancy wakes her thousand lyres, 
And woods and vales responsive sing. 
She comes; lo! Winter scowls away ; 
Harmonious forms start forth to view ; > 
Nymphs tripping light in circles gay, 
Decked in their robes of virgin hue. 
Then I, on amorous sportings bent, 
Like a sly archer take my stand ; 
Wide through the world my shafts are sent, 
And every creature owns my hand, ' 
