 | Love's token-flowers |  |
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VIOLET.—Viola Tricolor.
Modesty.
Dearly I love these simple flowers,
Half hidden in their low green nest,
Yet decked in more than regal pride,
With purple robe and golden vest.
Half hidden in their low green nest,
Yet decked in more than regal pride,
With purple robe and golden vest.
Dearly I love them, for to me
With cherished memories they are fraught,
And, borne upon their perfumed breath,
Comes many a sweet and pleasant thought
With cherished memories they are fraught,
And, borne upon their perfumed breath,
Comes many a sweet and pleasant thought
Within our garden's quiet bounds
These flowers in wild profusion grow,
And wander o'er the borders trim,
As if their privilege they know.
These flowers in wild profusion grow,
And wander o'er the borders trim,
As if their privilege they know.
And there is one—a dark-eyed child,
Whose heart to all things sweet is wed;
She loves to watch the purple gems,
Glistening within their lowly bed.
Whose heart to all things sweet is wed;
She loves to watch the purple gems,
Glistening within their lowly bed.
57
Her little hands with graceful skill
A simple garland oft entwine,
While she laughs out in joyous glee,
To see them in her bright locks shine.
A simple garland oft entwine,
While she laughs out in joyous glee,
To see them in her bright locks shine.
At morn, when dew-drops deck the grass,
At sunset's bright and gorgeous hours,
Still 'mid the violets is she seen:
And so we name them “Anna's flowers.”
At sunset's bright and gorgeous hours,
Still 'mid the violets is she seen:
And so we name them “Anna's flowers.”
Oh may this be an omen true,
That violet-like her life may prove,
The sweetness of a gentle heart,
Her unexacting claim to love.
That violet-like her life may prove,
The sweetness of a gentle heart,
Her unexacting claim to love.
| Love's token-flowers | |