Charles Godfrey Leland

Among the flowers no perfume is like mine;
That which is best in me comes from within.
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Among the flowers no perfume is like mine;
That which is best in me comes from within.
So those in this world who would rise and shine
Should seek internal excellence to win.
And though 'tis true that falsehood and despair
Meet in my name, yet bear it still in mind
That where they meet they perish. All is fair
When they are gone and nought remains behind.

Great albatross!--the meanest birds
Spring up and flit away,
While thou must toil to gain a flight,
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Great albatross!--the meanest birds
Spring up and flit away,
While thou must toil to gain a flight,
And spread those pinions grey;
But when they once are fairly poised,
Far o'er each chirping thing
Thou sailest wide to other lands,
E'en sleeping on the wing.

Up rose the wild old winter-king,
And shook his beard of snow;
"I hear the first young read more

Up rose the wild old winter-king,
And shook his beard of snow;
"I hear the first young hard-bell ring,
'Tis time for me to go!
Northward o'er the icy rocks,
Northward o'er the sea,
My daughter comes with sunny locks:
This land's too warm for me!"

To Paradise, the Arabs say,
Satan could never find the way
Until the peacock led him in.

To Paradise, the Arabs say,
Satan could never find the way
Until the peacock led him in.

I pray your Highness mark this curious herb:
Touch it but lightly, stroke it softly, Sir,
And read more

I pray your Highness mark this curious herb:
Touch it but lightly, stroke it softly, Sir,
And it gives forth an odor sweet and rare;
But crush it harshly and you'll make a scent
Most disagreeable.