Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]

LOVES OF THE PLANTS.

OW snow-drops cold and blue-eyed harebells blend

Their tender tears, as o'er the streams they bend,

The love-sick violet and the primrose pale Bow their sweet heads and whisper to the gale; With secret sighs the virgin lily droops, And jealous cowslips hang their tawny cups. How the young rose, in beauty's damask pride, Drinks the warm blushes of his bashful bride; With honeyed lips enamored woodbines meet, Clasp with fond arms, and mix their kisses sweet!

Stay thy soft murmuring waters, gentle rill;
Hush, whispering winds; ye rustling leaves, be still;
Rest, silver butterflies, your quivering wings;
Alight, ye beetles, from your airy rings;
Ye painted moths, your gold-eyed plumage furl,
Bow your wide horns, your spiral trunks uncurl;
Glitter, ye glow-worms, on your mossy beds;
Descend, ye spiders, on your lengthened threads;
Slide here, ye horned snails, with varnished shells;
Ye bee-nymphs, listen in your waxen cells!
ERASMUS DARWIN.

[graphic]
[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[ocr errors]

HE thrush derives its name from mistletoe berries, of which it is exceedingly fond. It is famed for its clear, ringing, musical note, and sings loudest, and sweetest, and longest in storms; hence it is no mean teacher to man, whose song of gladness and gratitude should rise to heaven-not only when his sky is clear, but when it is darkened with clouds, and the storm portends fearful disasters.

[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

HAT a desolate place would be this world without a flower! It would be a face without a smile, a feast without a welcome! Are not flowers the stars of the earth? and are not our stars the flowers of heaven?

[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

NATURE is like an Eolian harp, a musical instrument whose tones are the re-echo of higher strings within us.

« PreviousContinue »