BRING FLOWERS. BRING flowers, young flowers, for the festal board, To wreathe the cup ere the wine is poured; Bring flowers! they are springing in wood and vale, Their breath floats out on the southern gale, And the touch of the sunbeam hath waked the rose, To deck the hall where the bright wine flows. · Bring flowers to strew in the conqueror's path- Bring flowers to the captive's lonely cell, Bring flowers, fresh flowers, for the bride to wear! Bring flowers for the locks of the fair young bride! Bring flowers, pale flowers, o'er the bier to shed, For this in the woods was the violet nursed. Though they smile in vain for what once was ours, They are love's last gift-bring ye flowers, pale flowers! Bring flowers to the shrine where we kneel in prayer, They are nature's offering, their place is there! MRS. HEMANS. |