A Memory.

Amid my treasures once I found         A simple faded flower;     A flower with all its beauty fled,         The darling of an hour.     With bitterness I gazed awhile,         Then flung it from my sight;     For with it all came back to me         the pain and heedless blight.     But, moved with pity and regret         I took it up again;     For oh, so long and wearily         In darkness it had lain.     Ah, purple pansy, once I kissed         Your dewy petals fair;     For then, indeed, I had no thought         Of earthly pain or care.     Your faded petals now I touch         With sacred love and awe;     For never will my heart kneel down         To earthly will or law.     Your velvet beauty still is dear,         Though faded now you seem;     You drooped and died, yet still you are         The symbol of my dream.     Sweet, modest flower, tinged with gold,         A lesson you have said;     Your purple glory, like my love,         Is faded now, and dead.