Thorns and Roses [pp. 144]

144
APPLETO~NS' JO URNAL OF POPULOAR
LSYrPTEMBER 18,
"THORNS AND ROSES."
Io
ULLING of simples and prying in petals,
Numbering stamens with pleasure and pride;
Heedless that Cupid is treading on nettles,
Why is she here, when the fields are so wide?
II.
Bachelor's-buttons, carnations, and lilies,
Linger for her while she wanders away;
Why can't she go where the shade on the hill is?
Love would be better without her to-day!
III.
Fair are the ripples tiat glance in the sunlight;
Sweet are the glimpses of radiant skies;
Fairest and sweetest of all is that one light,
Born in the deeps of those eloquent eyes.
IV.
Say, was the dearest of words yet unspoken?
Hide all your blushes in calm unconcern;
Only a moment the music is broken:
Love has a secret no others may learn.
V.
Science the leaf and the bud analyzes:
Fido has given his warning the while;
Love-land is full of ungentle surprises,
Yet is a miss quite as good as a mile!
VI.
Only a thorn in the midst of the roses;
Only a cloud in the blue of the sky;
Wide-awake science that never reposes,
Love is a flower that you never could spy!
GEORGE CooPER.