IV.
To A Lover of Flowers.
1.
Still, gentle Lady, cherish flowers—1
True fairy friends are they,2
On whom of all thy cloudless hours3
Not one is thrown away,4
By them, unlike man’s ruder race,5
No care conferr’d is spurn’d,6
But all thy fond and fostering grace7
A thousand-fold return’d.8
2.
The Rose, repays thee all thy smiles—9
The stainless lily rears10
Dew in the chalice of its wiles11
As sparkling as thy tears.12
The glances of thy gladd’ning eyes13
Not thanklessly are pour’d ;14
In the blue Violet’s tender dyes15
Behold them all restored.16
3.
Yon bright Carnation—once thy cheek.17
Bent o’er it in the bud ;18
And back it gives thy pushes meek19
In one rejoicing flood !20
That Balm has treasured all thy sigh,21
That Snowdrop touch’d thy brow,22
Thus, not a charm of thine shall die23
Thy painted people vow.*24
* “ Queen Lilies and ye painted populace
That live in fields and lead ambrosial lives.”
Young .
That live in fields and lead ambrosial lives.”
Young .