“Trees of Righteousness”

One thing she saw, and one shé heard.
There were a thousand red-rose trees ;
Each rose-red leaf sang like a bird,
“What trees, dear Child,” she asked,
“are these?”

“These,” said the Child, “are called Love’s
Bower ;
They fade not ; constantly they sing ;
Each flower appears more fire than flower.
Now, see the roots from which they
spring !””

She looked ; she saw, far down the night,
The earth, the city whence she came,

And Nero’s gardens red with light —

- The light of martyrs wrapped in flame.

She woke with Heaven still in her eyes.
Rome, moonlit, revelled overhead.
She feared no more the lions’ cries ;
Flames were but flowers, and death was
dead !

I4I