And the flowers are true things—yet no fables they;

Fables were not more

Bright, nor loved of yore—

Yet they grew not, like the flowers, by every old pathway:

Grossest hand can test us;

Fools may prize us never:

Yet we rise, and rise, and rise—marvels sweet for ever.

Who shall say, that flowers

Dress not heaven’s own bowers?

Who its love, without us, can fancy—or sweet floor?