Page:The Romance of Nature; or, The Flower-Seasons Illustrated.djvu/216

122 THE FLOWER OF THE FOUNTAIN.

(IVY-LEAVED BELL FLOWER.)

was a blest retreat where I did find

This modest gem:

The forest trees above were intertwined,

And, under them,

From an old ruined fountain, gurgled out

A small clear stream, that circled them about.

And rippling gently onwards through the wood,

Leaped into light

Beyond the last old gnarled oak that stood

Beside the bright

And sparkling rivulet, like hoary age

Smiling at the pursuits that youth engage.

Over the fount's damp, mossy stones there grew,

Luxuriantly,

These little bells of faint and tender blue,

Which gracefully