Page:Voice of Flowers.pdf/118

Above the floating bridal veil
    The white Camella rears
Its innocent and tranquil eye,
    To calm young beauty's fears,
And when her hoary age recalls
    The memories of that hour,
Blent with the heaven-recorded vow
    Will gleam that stainless flower.

The matron fills her chrystal vase
    With gems that Summer lends,
Or groups them round the festal board
    To greet her welcome friends,
Her husband's eye is on the skill
    With which she decks his bower,
And dearer is his praise to her
    Than earth's most precious flower.

Frail gifts we call them, prone to fade
    Ere the brief spring is o'er,
Though down the smitten strong man falls,
    Returning never more.
Time wears away the arch of rock,
    And rends the ancient throne,
Yet back they come, unchang'd, as when
    On Eden's breast they shone.