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 Copyright, iSSS, by 
 MRS. MARY H. FILLMORE. 
 
 
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ELL me, O fading Daisies! 
 
 Drooping and dying to-day, 
 What spirit of quiet enfolds you, 
 
 Fading so sweetly away? 
 
 You seem not like mortals who tremble 
 At shadow of blight or decay; 
 
 Fearful of leaving the sunshine, 
 Fearful of fadino^ awav. 
 
Methinks the peace of the Autumn, 
 
 As serenely and softly it fell, a^ 
 
 While resting over the flowers, * 
 
 Entered your hearts to dwell. 
 
 It seemed from the bending Daisies 
 
 A breath of perfume rare, 
 And a voice like a brook's low singing 
 
 Came on the dreamy air; 
 
'Tis not the peace of the Autumn, 
 For Autumn is sad, to all: 
 
 When the fairest flowers must wither, 
 And the leaves in their beauty fall. 
 
 I have felt in sadness of spirit 
 The chilling breath of the air, 
 
 And watched the soft tints fading 
 From my buds unfolding fair. 
 
Oh! drearily have I listened 
 
 To the sound, at evenfall, 
 Of the Autumn wind's low sobbing 
 
 Through the pale-hued poplars, tall 
 
 But last night, when the sunset glory 
 
 Was changing into grey, 
 I heard a sound of music, 
 
 Now near, now far away; 
 
 6 
 
And I thought it the lingering echo 
 
 Of far off vesper swells, 
 Till rising clearer, sweeter, 
 
 It breathed from the Lilj^-bells. 
 
 Then the drowsy flowers of the garden 
 Opened their half shut eyes, 
 
 And rustled their leaves in a murmur 
 Of questioning surprise. 
 
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But the Pans}^, with glad thoughts glowing, 
 Said softly, " What joy is ours ! 
 
 They are chanting a song of welcome 
 To the Angel of the flowers!" 
 
 Then a light of wondrous beauty 
 
 Fell over field and lawn, 
 Till the fading glow of sunset 
 
 Seemed fairer than flush of dawn. 
 
And wonderingly gazing upward, 
 Half in joy and half in fear, 
 
 I saw the form of an Angel 
 In shining garments, near. 
 
 A garland of half-blown flowers 
 Did the Angel's brow enclose, 
 
 And I saw, as she floated nearer. 
 
 They were buds of the pure, white Rose. 
 
Then a rapturous burst of music 
 From the Lih^-bells arose; 
 
 And, sinking to cadence tender, 
 Died softly to a close. 
 
 And the Angel smiled upon us, 
 
 As she stood by the Lilies, near. 
 
 And over the listening garden 
 
 Her sweet voice sounded clear: 
 
^' I come to the earthly garden 
 From the fairer one above; 
 And I bring to each drooping flower 
 A message of peace and love. 
 
 " This morn the air was heavy 
 
 With the burden of your sighs; 
 
 Now, sweeter than Summer fragrance, 
 
 Let hope from your hearts arise. 
 
 II 
 
" Ye bloom to unveil to earth-life 
 A glimpse of the life divine! 
 Over each opening blossom 
 A holy light doth shine! 
 
 " And though with the dying Summer 
 Your tender bloom departs, 
 With soothing thoughts ye enter 
 And live in human hearts. 
 
" And in their lives ye shall blossom 
 Anew, in deeds of love; 
 While holier aspirations 
 
 Your ministry shall prove. 
 
 " Thus, uplifting hearts that love you 
 In yearnings for the pure, 
 For the perfect beauty beyond them, 
 In the life that shall endure: 
 
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" Enshrined in the souls of mortals, 
 
 Ye shall rise where none may die. 
 To bloom in the heavenly garden, 
 The garden of God, on high." 
 
 She ceased; and upon her rested 
 
 The parting smile of Day; 
 Then, unfolding her white wings slowly, 
 
 Singing, she soared away. 
 
And Peace came to the flowers, 
 As each one in the garden tells, 
 
 When the voice of the Angel blended 
 With the song of the Lily-bells. 
 
 MARY HAWTHORNE FILLMORE. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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