Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/42

 36 REDEMPTION.

The tree of life with fairest fruit endow'd,

Of knowledge good, without the evil cursed.

What flowers of praise a garland shall enwreathe

For thee, Mary, branch sprung from Isai's stem,

Thyself the princess of a royal line,

And worthy Mother of the King of kings?

In thee, Eden restored, fresh blooms again,

With sparkling beauties crown'd. The lily's bell,

Meekly thy innocence displays, or shrinks

The vale within, where sweet simplicity

Most loves to dwell; for thee, the virgin rose

Holds its perennial feast of joyous love;

Where e'er thy footsteps tend, on fragrant wing

The odor of thy virtues up to heaven

It gently wafts, a richer perfume than

Its golden chives e'er breath'd; camellia chaste,

Thy chastity portrays, whilst clematis,

With graceful fillets midst ambrosia twined,

Celestial wisdom's nect'rous dews distils;

The crown imperial, showy bulb, enwreath'd

With fadeless amaranth, with gems and gold

Emboss'd, weaves thy imperial diadem,

A crown illustrious and as heav'n etern,

That royal birth and queenly state becomes.

Each floral beauty decks thy gorgeous train,

Semblant of thee; aurate or argent,

Azure, white, carnation, fragrant or fair,

Orange and hyacinth perfumed, pansy,

With damask, white and red, enamel'd o'er ;

All odors sweet, thy sanctity embalm.

Into this Paradise the tempter now An entrance sought; but much th' archangel's brond,

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