UNFADING branch of verdant hue, br In modest sweetness drest, br Shake off thy pearly tears of dew, br And decorate my breast. br br Dear emblem of the constant mind, br Truth's consecrated tree, br Still shall thy trembling blossoms find br A faithful friend in me. br br Nor chilling breeze, nor drizzling rain br Thy glossy leaves can spoil, br Their sober beauties fresh remain br In every varying soil. br br If e'er this aching heart of mine br A wand'ring thought should prove; br O, let thy branches round it twine, br And bind it fast to Love. br br For ah ! the little fluttering thing, br Amidst LIFE'S tempest rude; br Has felt Affliction's sharpest sting, br YET TRIUMPHS UNSUBDUED. br br Like THEE it braves the wintry wind, br And mocks the storm's fierce pow'r, br Tho' from its HOPES the blast unkind, br Has torn each promis'd flow'r. br br Tho' round its fibres barb'rous fate br Has twin'd an icy spell; br Still in its central fires elate, br The purest passions dwell. br br When LIFE'S disast'rous scene is fled, br This humble boon I crave; br Oh! bind your branches round my head, br AND BLOSSOM ON MY GRAVE.