Page:The Romance of Nature; or, The Flower-Seasons Illustrated.djvu/173

99 Extending many a rood: broad dark-hued leaves,

Clothing the bosom of the water clear,

And gently heaving up and down, as though

Her breathing thus disturbed them. 'Midst these, rise

In pure and stately beauty, urn-like forms,

Just 'bove the water's height; some, not unclosed,

Are tinged with tenderest green; while others spread

Full to the warm down-gazing sun their deep,

White, sculptured-like, and softly-glowing cups

Of modelled petals, lit up from within

By one large anthered star of golden flame:

And, leaning on the dark green leaves, they lie,

These lovely, nymph-like Lilies,—looking up

In worship and in love unto the sun,

On whom alone they smile; for when he goes

From his blue mid-day palace over head,

And the trees cast long shadows on the lake,

The loving water-nymphs, no longer joyed

By the bright presence of their radiant god,

Fold their rich snowy robes, and, bending low,

Suffer the waves to sing a lullaby

Over their sleeping heads.

When mornings beam

Looks gaily o'er the earth, the Lilies lift

Slowly above the waters their fair forms,