Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
America: Vols. XXV–XXIX. 1876–79.

Southern States: Ashley, the River, S. C.

Magnolia Gardens

By Paul Hamilton Hayne (1830–1886)

YES, found at last,—the earthly Paradise!

Here by slow currents of the silvery stream

It smiles, a shining wonder, a fair dream,

A matchless miracle to mortal eyes:

What whorls of dazzling color flash and rise

From rich azalean flowers, whose petals teem

With such harmonious tints as brightly gleam

In sunset rainbows arched o’er perfect skies!

But see! beyond those blended blooms of fire,

Vast tier on tier, the lordly foliage tower

Which crowns the centuried oaks’ broad-crested calm:

Thus on bold Beauty falls the shade of Power;

Yet Beauty, still unquelled, fulfils desire,

Unfolds her blossoms, and outbreathes her balm!