In a fair and sunny forest glade <br />O’erarched with chesnuts old, <br />Through which the radiant sunbeams made <br />A network of bright gold, <br />A girl smiled softly to herself, <br />And dreamed the hours away; <br />Lulled by the sound of the murmuring brook <br />With the summer winds at play. <br /> <br />Jewels gleamed not in the tresses fair <br />That fell in shining showers, <br />Naught decked that brow of beauty rare <br />But a wreath of forest flowers; <br />And the violet wore no deeper blue <br />Than her own soft downcast eye, <br />Whilst her bright cheek with the rose’s hue <br />In loveliness well might vie. <br /> <br />But she was too fair to bloom unknown <br />By forest or valley side, <br />And long ere two sunny years had flown, <br />The girl was a wealthy bride— <br />Removed to so high and proud a sphere <br />That she well at times might deem <br />The humble home of her childhood dear <br />A fleeting, changeful dream. <br /> <br />No more her foot sought the grassy glade <br />At the break of summer day; <br />No more neath the chesnut spreading shade <br />In reverie sweet she lay; <br />But in abodes of wealth and pride, <br />With serious, stately mien, <br />That envy’s rancorous tongue defied, <br />She now alone was seen. <br /> <br />But was she happier? Who might know? <br />Wealth, fortune, on her smiled; <br />Yet there were some who whispered low <br />That she, fates favored child, <br />Oft pressed her brow with a weary hand, <br />In gay and festive hours, <br />And fain would change her jewell’d band <br />For a wreath of forest flowers.<br /><br />Rosanna Eleanor Leprohon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-wreath-of-forest-flowers/
