38 SELECT POETRY

Tipped with gold, from the centre half-negligent
hung,

With strings of white pearl scattered loosely among:

The last (such as fairies are fancied to wear, )

Aurora! herself had disposed in her hair.

To meet her and welcome the high omened day,

The bridegroom stepped forth in majestic array—

A rough velvet suit, mingled russet and green,

Around his fine figure, broad flowing was seen ;

His front, warm and manly, a diadem graced,

Of regal appearance, resplendent as chaste ;

The centre was puckered in velvet of brown,

With golden vandykes, which encircled the crown.

Since nature’s first morning, ne’er glittered a pair,

The one so commanding, the other so fair !

Many ladies of fashion had offered to wait

As bridemaids, the honour was reckoned so great ;

These famed for their beauty, for fragrancy those,

ANEMONE splendid, or sweet smelling RosE;

But gentle and free from a tincture of pride,

A sweet country cousin was called by the bride,

Who long in a valley had sheltered unknown,

Or was traced to the shade by her sweetness alone ;

She timid appeared in the meekest array,

With pearls of clear dew on an evergreen spray.

Now moved .the procession from dressing-room
bowers,

A brilliant display of illustrious flowers:

Young Hzarr’s-gassx in purple and gold ran befcre,

To welcome them in at the great temple door;

1 Aurora—the goddess of the morning—the dawn.