Page:Poems Ryan.djvu/53

Then, like through dark gray trees,
 Sunset arrows dart,
Are virtues brightest rays
 Reflected from the heart;
And over earth will throw,
 From life's distant west,
Fair and golden halo,
 As the soul sinks to rest.

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THE ROSE AND THE LILY.

One summer morn, when woods were green,
 And sweet the grassy lea,
Midst flowers fair as e'er were seen,
 A lily bloomed for me.

So queenly fair its pearl-white leaves,
 So bright its heart of gold,
While its sweet breath on aerial waves,
 Of hidden sweetness told.

It seemed to live like one I knew,
 The maid I loved so well,
In fragrant beauty, pure it grew;
 Love's tale it seemed to tell.

So to my Love, this flower fair
 I gave with vows of love;
Thinking beauty so pure and rare,
 Like love was from above.