THE SENSITIVE PLANT.

I would not escape from Memory's land
For all that the eye can view,

For there's dearer dust in Memory's land
Than the ore of rich Peru.

I clasp the fetters by Memory twined,

The wanderer's heart and soul to bind!

21

HOLFORD.

THE SENSITIVE PLANT.

[So delicate in its texture that a touch, a breath, will cause it to tremble through every leaf, and hence its name of sensitive or humble plant.]

Nay, little trembler, shrink not thus,
As though a foe were nigh;
I would not harm thy smallest leaf,
Then let thy terrors fly.

Alas! 'mongst human kind there be

Hearts sensitive as thou;

Who hear in every tone reproof,

See frowns on every brow.

Oh! may

THE PARTING SHIP.

I ne'er such dark distrust

With needful caution blend,

But rather view, till else I've proved

Each stranger as a friend.

MORAL OF FLOWERS.

THE PARTING SHIP.

A glittering ship that hath the plain

Of ocean for her own domain."

WORDSWORTH.

Go in thy glory o'er the ancient sea,

Take with thee gentle winds thy sails to swell, Sunshine and joy upon thy streamers he

Fare thee well, bark, farewell!

Proudly the flashing billow thou hast cleft,

The breeze yet follows thee with cheer and song! Who now of storms has dream or memory left? And yet the deep is strong!

But go thou triumphing, while still the smiles
Of summer tremble on the water's breast!
Thou shalt be greeted by a thousand isles,
In lone wild beauty drest.

THE PARTING SHIP.

To thee a welcome, breathing o'er the tide

The Genii-Groves of Araby shall pour,Waves that unfold the pearl shall bathe thy side On the old Indian shore!

Oft shall the shadow of the palm tree lie

O'er glassy bays, wherein thy sails are furl'd, And its leaves whisper, as the wind sweeps by, Tales of the elder world.

Oft shall the burning stars of southern skies
On the mid ocean see thee chained in sleep,
A lonely home for human thoughts and ties
Between the heavens and deep.

Blue seas that roll on gorgeous coasts renown'd,

By night shall sparkle where thy prow makes way, Strange creatures of th' abyss that none may sound, In thy broad wake shall play.

From hills unknown in mingled joy and fear

Free dusky tribes shall pour thy flag to mark.-
Blessings go with thee on thy lone career!
Hail, and farewell thou bark!

A long farewell! thou wilt not bring us back

All whom thou bearest far from home and hearth, Many are thine whose steps no more shall track Their own sweet native earth!

23

24

THE HAPPINESS OF THE GODLY.

Some wilt thou leave beneath the plantain shade,

Where through the foliage Indian suns look bright; Some in the snows of wintry regions laid

By the cold northern light!

And some far down below the sounding wave,

Still shall they lie though tempests o'er them sweep;
Never may flower be strewn above their grave,
Never may sister weep!

And thou the billowy queen-e'en thy proud form
On our glad sight no more perchance may swell;
Yet, God alike is in the calm and storm-

Fare thee well, bark, farewell!

HEMANS.

THE HAPPINESS OF THE GODLY.

["And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither."-Psalm i. 3.]

Blessed state! and happy he
Who is like that planted tree;
Living waters lave his root,

Bends his bough with golden fruit.

THE HAPPINESS OF THE GODLY.

Thine, O Lord! the power and praise
Which a sight like this displays;
Power of thine must plant it there,
Praise of thee it should declare.

Thou must first prepare the ground,
Sow the seed, and fence it round;
Streams that water, suns that shine,
Each and all are ever Thine.

When the seedling from its bed
First lifts up its timid head,
Ministry of Thine must give

All on which its life can live.

Showers from Thee must bid it thrive,

Breath of thine must oft revive;

Light from Thee its bloom supplies,
Left by Thee-it fades, and dies.

Whose then-when a tree up-grown
Should its fruit be? but thine own!
And thy glorious heritage

Is its fadeless leaf in age.

B. BARTON.