The Knickerbocker/Volume 13/Number 5/The Origin of the Snow Drop
THE ORIGIN OF THE SNOW DROP.
A snow-flake fell from the summer sky, As though it had burst its chain,Where it lies enthralled in the realms on high, Until winter appears again.It chanced to fall in a garden fair, Where many a flow'ret grew,Watched by a guardian angel's care, Who bathed them all in dew.It rested near a blooming rose, That shed its fragrance round,Folding its leaves in soft repose, To a fountain's silvery sound.The angel smiled on it, resting there, And thus addressed the snow:'What dost thou here, fair child of air, While the summer sunbeams glow?'The snow-flake said: 'Thy flowers have died, 'From the scorching sun on high,And when above, I have often sighed To see their colors fly:Then I vowed to visit the earth, and give New life to each rosy flower,Bidding the drooping blossom live, To deck the angel's bower.'As the snow-flake spake, the flowers that lay All withering on the ground,Bloomed with the blush of a new-born day, And brightness reigned around.Then the angel said: 'If thou it stay with me, Sweet pitying spirit of air!A beauteous form I'll give to thee, Than all these flowers more fair!'Waving her hand, there rose to view, In the place where the snow-flake came,A pure white flower, fresh crowned with dew, And 'The Snow-Drop' is its name!