University of Virginia Library

THE FLOWER AND THE BROOK.

The brook tripp'd by, with smile and sigh,
And soft in music-murmurs sung,
While all the flowers that blossom'd nigh
Were hush'd to hear that silver tongue.
“Ah, virgin violet!” breathed the brook,
“Whose blue eye shuns the light, the air,
I love you!—in this true heart look,
And see—your own sweet image there!”
The bashful violet bent her brow,
But as she gazed, she sigh'd in sorrow,
“Oh! faithless heart—oh, idle vow!
Beloved to-day—betray'd to-morrow!

341

“What see I, in that heart of thine?
There's not a flower that blooms above thee,
But there its image glows like mine,
Yet, false and light! you say you love me!
“Go, changeful rover!—wander free,
With sunny glance, and voice beguiling,
And take my fondest sigh with thee,
To boast where other flowers are smiling!
“Go! tell the lily and the rose
Of all the incense lavish'd o'er thee!
Go! wake them from their pure repose,
And bid them waste their blushes for thee!
“Go! breathe to them the music low
Which all too oft beguiles the blossom!
But oh! remember, where you go,
My latest breath was on your bosom!”