Page:The Romance of Nature; or, The Flower-Seasons Illustrated.djvu/174

100 Yet still enwrapped close. When noontide brings

Their worshipped deity to his wonted shrine

O'er their blue-bosomed lake, they fondly rise,

To greet and welcome him with every charm

That lavish Nature has endowed them with:

And ne'er did forms more exquisitely fair,

More stately, chaste, or beautiful, emerge

From earth to tell her praise.

Oh! well might they,

The dusk, untutored Indians, bend before

Such perfect loveliness in adoration;

Well might they deem some god or spirit shrined

Within so bright a temple!

And shall we

In fancy e'er create a meaner flower

The sovereign of these sweet and beauteous ones?

No—seek the Lilies' still, calm haunts, and see

The waters sporting round their pearly cups,

And flinging sunny gleams upon their snow,

Like smiles and blushes o'er a maidens cheek.

—If ye e'er gazed on aught more beautiful,

Oh! tell me what it was—for ne'er have I.