Who that hath ever been, Could bear to be no more? Yet who would tread again the scene On, with intense desire, Man's spirit will move on: It seems to die, yet, like heaven's fire, The sun now sheds on the foliage a pale yellow hue, and the poplar is tinged with discolored gold, while the acacia folds up its bright foliage, which the sun's rays will expand no more. The birch-tree waves its long branches, already stripped of ornament; and the fir, which preserves its green pyramids, balances them proudly in the air. The oak is immovable - it resists the efforts of the wind to strip its stately head; and the king of the forest refuses to shed its leaves until the ensuing spring. We are told that all these trees are moved by different passions; one bows profoundly as if it wished to render homage to him whom the tempest cannot move; another seems desirous of embracing its companion, the support of its weakness; and while they mingle their branches together, a third seems universally agitated as though it were surrounded by enemies. Often do we see fallen on the earth, having already lost their bright green verdure, clouds of dead leaves that cover the ground with a restless garment. We love to contemplate the storm that chases, agitates, disperses, and torments, these sad remains of a spring which can never return. We keep a rainbow all the time, Within our lattice low; Our vase is crowned with autumn-leaves, Through which the sun doth glow, Lighting up each transparent, gorgeous shade Green, crimson, purple, gold—all blending in one braid. F. S. O. SECRET LOVE. MOTHER WORT. THE clandestina grows at the foot of large trees, in moist and umbrageous places. Its pretty purple flowers are nearly always hidden under moss or dry leaves. Yes! tell him-tell him I am well, And tell him how my lip has curled, And named his name with idle smile; But do not tell him for the world, That tears were in mine eyes the while! SOUL OF MY SOUL. F. S. O. VIRGINIAN JESSAMINE. How many ravishing harmonies spring up on every side, from the association of plants with the animal creation! Behold the Virginian jessamine, with its beautiful verdure and purple flowers! The humming-bird makes its nest in one of the leaves, which it rolls into the shape of a horn; it finds its sustenance in the nectareous vessels of its red flowers, which are similar to those of the foxglove: and its little body, when resting on S the jasmine-flower, appears like an emerald set in coral. It is sometimes so tame or fearless that it may be taken with the hand. This little being is the soul and the life of the plant that cherishes it. Oh! the pet and the darling of nature-whose plume, Through the woods, like a sunbeam, doth playfully dartThe humming-bird! bathing in dew and perfume, That hide in the crimson jasmine's heart, While he blends, with the blossom, his own rich bloom, Till you hardly can tell them apart. SILENCE. WHITE ROSE. F. S. O. THE god of silence was represented under the form of a young man, with one finger placed on his lips, and holding a white rose in the other hand. We are told that Love gave him this rose to secure his favour. The ancients sculptured a rose over the doors of their festive halls, to interdict the guests from repeating anything that was spoken. Byron has rendered it sacred to the silence of the tomb. In the "Bride of Abydos," he says, that, o'er the tomb of Zuleika A single rose is shedding Its lovely lustre, meek and pale ; Hush, sweet, hush! Let me read in your blush, All that you tremble and fear to tell;- When that eloquent cheek And those soul-lit eyes can talk so well? F. S. O. SIMPLICITY. WILD OR DOG ROSE. THE wild or common dog rose has been made the emblem of simplicity. It forms one of the principal flowers in the rustic's bouquet. The wild rose scents the summer air, To glad the swain sojourning there, And maidens gathering flowers. CLARE. Clemence Isaure, who instituted the floral games, awarded a single rose as the prize for eloquence. The standards of the houses of York and Lancaster were charged with the bearing of the wild rose. This flower was also stamped on the current coin of those days. Thou once wast doomed Where civil discord braved the field, FABLE OF THE ROSE. Pure, loving, guileless, bright, and wild, SINCERITY. F. S. O. FERN. "FERN often affords an agreeable seat to lovers; its ashes are used in the manufacture of glasses for the convivial party; and all the world knows that love and wine make men sincere." I dearly love a changing cheek, That glows or pales, as Feeling chooses, Upon it what the tongue refuses; Where eloquent blushes burn and fade, Rich with the wealth of warm emotion, Like jewels in a restless ocean. F. S. O. |