Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/66

 The story sad he told of Christ, the Saviour, and His Cross; Then joy and laughter sudden ceased, and grieving for their loss, They shed their tears upon the pebbles and on the velvet moss— A heaven moved grief of old.

And lo, when they had flown from the enchanted spring and ground, Just where the tears had fallen on the pebbles lying round, The Fairy stony crosses by the thousand there were found, Sweet Nature's crosses of old.

Note the crosses in this clod of earth. Photographed in Patrick County, Va.

THE SUN FLOWER

'Tis the flower that looms and turns to pure gold, Yes, the flower that loves, and is loved the best; For it plans from the first—this is love's true test— To give forth its riches to young and to old.

It o'er reaches men high with its shining crest, Yet never in climbing unduly bold— 'Tis the flower that looms and turns to pure gold, Yes, the flower that loves, and is loved, the best.

The Gold Finches arrive as its petals unfold, And the Cardinal's joy is manifest, As groom gives to bride the jolly behest To feast on its wealth and in her heart to hold The flower that looms and turns to pure gold, Yes, the flower that loves, and is loved, the best.