To the Sego Lily: A Poem

To the Sego-Lily All hail thee, Sego-Lily, our State Flower ! Once more ye bloom and grace the passing hour. Thy petals shine beneath the skies of blue, Or stars reflect them in thy gathered dew. Thy wonder now, ah, can the artist paint? For thou art robed in beauty like a saint ; And spots of purple and of ruddy gold, In thy white chalice now we see thee hold. Ye watch not the light of the pallid moon, But rejoice in the blaze of sunny noon. How often, as now, ye have opened fair In the ancient stillness of desert air ; The painted savage, no doubt, in his pride, Has gathered thee oft to adorn his bride. As manna thou cam'st to the pioneer, When faint and aweary with hunger's fear. Upon graves ye lay that were dug in tears : This thought we will cherish in coming years. And now the Emblem thou art of our State — Through the years shall blossom and see it great ! —HOPE.