THE ASSUMPTION.

Crown her with flowers! She is the queen of flowers:

Roses for royalty and mignonette

For sweet humility, and lilies wet

With morning dew for holy purity.

Crown her with stars! She is the queen of stars:

They sparkle round her maiden path in showers

And stretch their beams of light in golden bars,

Making a pavement for her majesty.

Crown her with prayers! She is the queen of prayer:

With eager hands she gathers every one,

Wreathing them into garlands for her Son,

Holding them close with fond, maternal care:

Sweet flower—first planet in the realms above!

Crown her with love! She is the queen of love.