The Cardinal Flower

When days are long and steeped in sun

The brown brooks loiter as they run,

And lingering eddy as they flow

Full loth to leave the meadows low;

For then the cardinal, ablaze

With splendid fires, their fancy stays.

Like a tall Indian maiden, dressed

In scarlet robes, with tranquil breast

That ne'er has known love's humbling thrall

But haughty queens it over all,

The flower her image mirrored throws,

While proud as beautiful she glows.

She sees the speckled trout dart by,

And swift- winged flit the dragon-fly

Over the brook's smooth waters dun;

Naught doth she heed them, all or one;

Even the sun-god when he woos

With proud indifference she views.

The saucy swallow darts athwart

The topaz brook, but wins him naught

Of notice from the haughty queen.

Wrapped in her beauteous self, serene

She dwells alone, untouched by praise,

Through the brief splendor of her days.