University of Virginia Library


13

TO LAURA R.,

CROWNED WITH PRIMROSES.

So Flora looks when, flowret-crowned,
She leads the scented Spring;
So Psyche floats above the ground,
Upborne by Cupid's wing.
The Oread on the mountain side,
The Naiad in her well,
The Nereid underneath the tide,
The Dryad in the dell,
Though well they may, with changing grace,
Delay the jealous hours,
About such tresses never placed
So choice a wreath of flowers.
The pale-eyed blooms thyself did pull
Best emblem thee, sweet child;
As modest and as beautiful,
As tender and as wild.
November 1842.