THE

WORSHIP OF INNOCENCE,

A COLLECTION OF LYRIC POEMS,

Bedicated and mostly addressed to

FLORA BEATRICE,

A LITTLE GIRL VERY DEAR TO, AND MUCH BELOVED

BY HER MOST AFFECTIONATE FRIEND,

THE AUTHOR.

Leicester, Easter, 1875.

1

"Sweet promise of extatic years! Now could I fainly bend the knee, And turn idolater to thee!"

BYRON.

"Heaven bless thee;

Thou hast the sweetest face I ever looked on.

"

SHAKESPEARE.

"Airy, fairy Lilian,

When I ask her if she love me,
Claps her tiny hands above me,

Laughing all she can."

TENNYSON.