And its bright jewelry of flowers and dew-drops, (Each orbed drop, an orb of glory in it) Would put them all in eclipse." S. T. COLERIDGE. ZAPOLYA. WE must have none here But vernal blasts, and gentle winds appear; Such as blow flowers, and through the glad boughs sing Many soft welcomes to the lusty Spring; These are our music. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER. The Snowdrop. Galanthus Nivalis. Class Hexandria. Order Monogynia. THE Snowdrop is generally esteemed a native of Britain, although some botanists consider it to have escaped from gardens. It appears in February in meadows, woods, and on the banks of rivers, when it delights by the simplicity and purity of the form and hue of its petals, and its glad promise of approaching spring. Now the glad earth her frozen zone unbinds, Its name and hue the scentless plant retains, MRS. BARBAULD B TO THE SNOWDROP AT EASTER. FIRST-BORN of the year's delight, 'T is not because thy drooping form Nor for yon river islet wild Beneath the willow spray, Where, like the ringlets of a child, 'T is not for these I love thee dear- To fancy bode a joyous year, They twinkle to the wintry moon, Is there a heart, that loves the spring, Or thankless doubt, when angels bring THE CHRISTIAN YEAR FOR she was timid as the wintry flower, MRS. TIGHE'S PSYCHE. WHEN I meet thee by the way, With thy darling breeze at play, -Or bright with sun-beams, glad with showers, Watch thee o'er the plain advance, Every brilliant bud that blows, Exhale their incense at thy shrine, -Their hues, their odours all are thine! The Muse's keen prophetic sight And fancy's magic makes the vision true. J. MONTGOMERY. |