Page:Voice of Flowers.pdf/26

'T was but seldom he crept from the college," he said,
"And he wished himself safe in his study, or bed."

Lady Flora, 't was thought, had a taste for design,
And her skill in embroidery all felt to be fine;
So the best of her pictures, for tinting and shade,
Were all on this pleasant occasion displayed.
Her visitors vied in expressions of praise,
And exhausted the store-house of elegant phrase;
Tho' some grave connoisseurs in a circle must draw,
Their acuteness to show by detecting a flaw.

Miss Carnation took her eye-glass from her waist,
And pronounc'd they were scarce in good-keeping, or taste,
While prim Fleur de lis in her robe of French silk,
And magnificent Calla, with mantle like milk,
Of the Louvre recited a wonderful tale,
And how "Guido's rich tints made dame Nature look pale."