Ah! no, each year doth Beauty wake,

And fairer from her dreams arise:

And when earth's bonds young spirits break,
They blossom still 'neath fairer skies,
Even in Paradise.

FLOWERS.

O Eyes of love that look from all the earth! Telling from diff'rent soils what joys may spring: E'en from foul composts rising into birth.

So to man's sinfulness will often cling

The bloom, the scent of flowers his childhood knew, When earth was Eden and all things were true.

Man seeks to guard you with a miser's care,
To coin in money every bud and bloom;
But Nature mocks his efforts, everywhere,
Flinging broadcast her beauty and perfume.
No one so poor but owns at birth a dower
On every singing bird and blushing flower.

Sweet Buds! that greet the day from grassy nests And flush to brightness with the sun's warm kiss; Earth's early smile upon you ever rests,

And writes its prophecy of future bliss.

Unuttered love more than man's thoughts can read

Ye tell on dusty road and verdant mead.

Beauteous and pure, ye neither toil nor spin,

But like the heart that sends sweet thoughts abroad, On mountain's lonely peak, 'mid city's din,

Ye bid man's hurrying life think of his GodAnd while he fills the wasting vase of clay Fling not life's summer flowers unprized away.

LINES.

[On a box of scented Wax Flowers, made and presented to me by a friend.]

Fair Imitation made by skilful fingers,

Nature herself must smile to gaze on thee! The breath of Summer time around thee lingers, The golden sunshine and the verdant lea.

Old winter howls unheeded at the casement ;-
On the cold hills unnoticed lies the snow;
For thou a perfume to my thoughts hast lent,
And given my heart a deeper, warmer glow.

While flowers have vanished from the hill and meadow,
The mind like Nature still the pattern keeps!
Brightness is hidden 'neath the darkest shadow;
And summer beauty 'neath the snow quilt sleeps.

We may not stay Time's steps so swiftly flying,
Forbid stern winter's hand to kill the flowers;

Yet we may paint their hues in tints undying,
And gild with Summer's bloom the wintry hours.

A NEW YEAR'S POEM.

I.

The Baby Year with sweetest breath
Clung round the Earth, her mother,
Flung off the sheet of lingering snow
With which she sought to cover,
And threw her flowers far and wide,
White, blue and gold on every side.

II.

And babies looked in many a home
Up in their mothers' faces,
With clearest eyes and tiny locks,

And all their infant graces,
And spread the flowers far and wide-
Love, beauty, joy on every side.

III.

O Infants! sweet as opening Spring,
Our love is round you clinging;

Ye Angel Guests of purity,

From some fair clime soft winging,
Come to our homes, and with you bear
A balm for grief, a joy for care!

IV.

Through ripened fields swarth Summer walked, Where wind-swept grain bowed yellow; Where heavy on each bending stalk

The orchard fruits hung mellow; Image of strength and rosy health, The Summer walked amid his wealth.

v.

O glowing breath of Summer-time !

In thee there is no dying;

From glade and grove sweet wood-notes chime, Life unto life replying!

A spell of beauty everywhere,

On earth and wave, in sky and air.

VI.

And Manhood in his strength walks forth,
The lord of earth, air, ocean!
For him toils on the mighty Earth,
With never ceasing motion,
And spreads her table full and free.
For all God's countless family.

VII.

O Manhood, God-like in thy power,
The elements firm binding;

The lightning chained from hour to hour

Thy smallest dictates minding!

Sun, water, air, obey thy will,

And Nature owns thy growing skill.

VIII.

Through russet boughs the Autumn walks,
Where crimson curtains stretching,
Drape the last picture Nature shows
With all her softened etching;
Where mellow tints to brownness turn
The dying fires in Summer's urn.

IX.

To manhood's prime there comes a voice
Like that through Fall woods stealing;
A spell of power that lessens strength,
Life's destiny revealing;

To spring, to bud, like blade or leaf,-
To ripen, die, its stay as brief.

X.

Cold, cold upon the frozen ground

The winter snows are lying;

Earth slumbers in her rest profound,

Yet Nature knows no dying!

When heard the voice, Arise! Come forth! Beauty again will clothe the earth.

XI.

O Human Life! so might thou pass-
With Spring's rich bloom and flowers,