FILLED WITH THE WORKS OF ART OF THREE SISTERS FOR THEIR MOTHER.

AS on a lake the water-flow'rs arise,
Nurs'd by its bosom to the forms they wear,
And floating o'er it, paint it with their dyes,
And shed a tribute of their perfume there;
So, mother, by thy cares all gently brought
From the dark nothingness of infancy,
And in our folded youth, inspired by thee
To shine in talent, or expand in thought,
We offer to thee, like the thankful flow'rs,
An image of the minds that by thee live;
And in the incense of their open'd pow'rs,
Return a tribute back of that which thou didst give.