Page:Southern Life in Southern Literature.djvu/237

Rh But underneath the glossy leaves, When, working out the perfect law, The blossoms white and fragrant still Drop from the haw; Like worthy deeds in silence wrought And secret, through the lapse of years, In clusters pale and delicate The fruit appears. In clusters pale and delicate But waxing heavier each day, Until the many-colored leaves Drift from the spray. Then pendulous, like amethysts And rubies, purple ripe and red, Wherewith God s feathered pensioners In flocks are fed. Therefore, sweet reader of this rime, Be unto thee examples high Not calmias and goldenrods That scentless die: But the meek blossoms of the haw, That fragrant are wherever wind The forest paths, and perishing Leave fruits behind.