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181

V.
THE FLOWERS

The flowers that thou hast loved within my song
Shine tenderly,—they are thy sweetest friends,
And to all such my including strain extends
Its grace: they shine within it in a throng!
Smooth jonquil, white camellia, rosebud gay:
Violets from nooks round which the water bends;
Green grasses, lavish ferns, all gifts love sends;
Thine orange-blossoms,—smiling, all obey.
Not one frail bud will I forget, I swear!
Whether within white bosom or deep hair
That bud has lingered, softly gathering sweets;
Thy life I wreathe around thee for a crown,—
Thine own past blossom-pleasures I lay down,—
I watch thy heart that was, and count its beats.