The pure pale blossoms of God’s gift, the flowers, Breathe immortality. They tell us of sweet, heavenly, dreamless hours All through eternity. They tell us of dear Mother Earth who press’d So soft and deep Their tiny seeds within her tender breast As children sleep. They tell us, these white souls of flowers, sent To beautify Our minds, of human souls, an emblem meant, Which never die. And when our bodies, like dear flowers, must At length decay, The seeds we sow will bloom, when we from dust Have passed away. Then let our lives be pure as these pale blooms With fragrance blent, That deeds, like flowers, shall be upon our tombs A monument. BECAUSE OF THEE. Because of thee, the earth is fair to see, The dawn more radiant for it breathes of thee, It gloweth deeper in the eastern skies As dawneth love within thy beauteous eyes. Because of thee, my heart a song doth sing, Its cadence in mine ear doth ever ring So dulcet sweet, and though thou art not near I feel, and know in spirit, thou can’st hear. Because of thee, weak words may not convey The holy calm which comes at close of day; When sunsets flame like seas of beaten gold Ere night her spangled draperies hath unrolled. Because of thee, upon the balmy air, Pæans from every plumaged worshipper Thrill all my soul, dear love, and seem to me Each liquid note a message sent from thee. Because of thee, the flowers more odorous still, With subtle fragrance, waken at my will Sweet memories of the perfume-laden dew Of the old garden, redolent of you. Because of thee, this longing heart of mine Hath none but thee to dwell within its shrine, Its sacred taper thou, a glorious light, My lode-star like a splendid vision bright. Because of thee, the stars seem all enwrought With beauty which enriches every thought; The moon, a golden chariot in which we May circle space for all eternity. Because of thee, as o’er life’s mighty deep, We glide together, soft shall be thy sleep; His hand will guide our barque to yonder shore To live, Oh, love--true life for evermore. [Illustration: text decoration] THE LEGEND OF OSYTH’S WOOD. [TO W. RICHER.]