Welcome to Elihu Burritt on his Return to England.........Matthew Staines 182

GEMS.

A FLORAL WREATH FOR MAY, 1850.

Emblematic of the Nations represented at the Brotherhood Bazaar.)

A CROWN for the queenly May,
Ere her festal reign is o'er ;
A chaplet more rich and gay,
Than ever an empress wore.
Earth's living jewels fair,

In a floral wreath we twine;
A coronal sweet and rare,

On May's fair brow to shine.

France brings her spotless Lily,
England her blushing Rose;
On Scotia's moorlands hilly
The hardy Thistle grows;

B

Its feathery blossoms sending,
She bids them gaily twine,
With Erin's shamrock blending,
On May's fair brow to shine.

With waving, flag-like leaves,
And golden fruit, we bring
The Indian corn, to wreathe
Columbia's offering.

The sunny banks of Rhine
Their graceful tribute pay;

With leaves and blossoms of the Vine
They deck the lovely May.

Our labour sweet is ended,

The floral wreath we bring ; Earth's living jewels blended,

To crown the Queen of Spring. Around the fragrant circlet,

PEACE twines her olive spray, And with sweet words of blessing, Crowneth the lovely May.

As falls the graceful coronal
Upon her golden hair,

Sweet sounds of pleasant melody
Fill the rejoicing air.

Touched by fair Cambrian fingers,

Gaily the harp notes ring,

Telling the listening nations,

PEACE crowns the Queen of Spring.

E. B. P.

HYMN FOR THE BROTHERHOOD BAZAAR.

OH, if the thought be beautiful, if it be wise and kind,

To weave the bond of brotherhood, the whole wide world to bind ;
And if to sheath the murderous sword be called a holy deed,
Let all the praise be given to Thee, from whom all such proceed!
Thou wouldst not have the slave be bound; Thy Spirit's tender sigh
Was breathed into a human soul, and dimmed a human eye;
And winged the messenger of love, to work Thy gracious will;
For every act of love we see flows from Thy Spirit still.

Thou wouldst not have the red sword wave; Thou hatest sounds of strife;

Thy look beams only pity; Thou lovest to give life;

Blessed be Thou, Fountain of Love, all-gracious as Thou art,
For breathing thoughts of harmony into man's warring heart!

Blessed be Thou for that mild Prince, our soul's Redeemer King,
Whom Thou hast given, a rebel world unto Thy feet to bring;
Blessed be Thou! His breath is peace, and pity is His wing.