^^^O'^T' 
 
 
 ^f rFor 
 
ALBERT R. MANN 
 LIBRARY 
 
 AT 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 Isabel Zucker 
 class '26 
 
The original of tiiis book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924068941578 
 
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 -^ 
 
 FLORAL POE^TRY 
 
 fc- 
 
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Marcus Ward & Co. London & Belfast. 
 
9" -w 
 
 Floral Poetry 
 
 AND 
 
 THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS 
 
 Wiih iolour^d Jlltt^tptjon^ 
 
 "Gather a wreath from the garden bowers, 
 And tell the wish of thy heart in flowers." 
 
 Percival. 
 
 2.onlion: 
 
 MARCUS WARD & CO., 67 & 68, CHANDOS STREET, STRAND 
 
 And royal ULSTER WORKS, BELFAST 
 1877 
 
 fr ^ 
 

 PRINTED BY 
 
 MARCUS WARD AND CO. 
 ROYAL ULSTER WORKS 
 
 36clfa0t 
 
^ 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 HE Floral Poetry, composing the greater part 
 of this book, has been selected with a view to 
 the diversified tastes of those who may peruse 
 it, and consequently a variety of styles will be 
 found in the pieces. It is hoped, however, that 
 most readers will not only light here upon old 
 friends, but also make the acquaintance, for the 
 first time, of poems and fragments that will give 
 pleasure whenever recalled. 
 
 For the liberty to insert certain poems, the Editor's thanks 
 are due to Theodore Martin, Esq. ; Samuel Ferguson, Esq., Q.C., 
 LL.D. ; Miss Agnes Rous Howell, and others. Many of the 
 selections are new, and are the property of the Publishers. 
 
 The First Part contains " Poems on Flowers Generally," and 
 in the Second Part will be found " Poems on Special Flowers," 
 arranged in the alphabetical order of their names to facilitate 
 reference. 
 
 The two Indexes of the Language of Flowers have been 
 made most full and complete, and the Months of flowering being 
 introduced, it is hoped they will meet the wants of those using 
 them. 
 
 The Illustrations speak for themselves, and need here no 
 recommendation. 
 
 J. H. S. 
 
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 -^ 
 
 List of Authors. 
 
 Allingham, W., 57. 
 
 Anonymous, 24, 32, 50, 62, 76, 81, 98, 
 103, 107, .108, 116, 119, 121, 122, 128, 
 138, 183, 188, 193, 198, 200, 225, 229. 
 
 Arnold, Edwin, 67. 
 
 Barton, Bernard, 79, 127, 152, 155, 
 172, 232. 
 
 Beaumont and Fletcher, 176. 
 
 BiDLAKE, 168. 
 
 Blessington, Countess of, 124. 
 
 Bowles, C, 242. 
 
 BowRiNG, 178. 
 
 Browne, 16, 113. 
 
 Browning, Elizabeth B., in, 194. 
 
 Bryant, William C, 64, 112, 137, 234. 
 
 Burns, 25, 89, 161, 179. 
 
 Byron, 139. 
 
 Campbell, 60. 
 
 Carew, Thomas, 165. 
 
 Casimir, 123. 
 
 Chaucer, 88. 
 
 Clare, John, 61, jpi, 161. 
 
 Coleridge, Samuel T., 133. 
 
 Cook, Eliza, 70, 73. 
 
 Cornwall, Barry, 40, 153, 222. 
 
 CowPER, 39, 59, 136. 
 
 Dana, Richard H., 53. 
 
 Daniel, 197. 
 
 Drayton, 14. 
 
 Elliott, 48, 49, 72, 212. 
 
 Ferguson, Samuel, 115. 
 
 Fletcher, Giles, 138. 
 
 Gay, 150. 
 
 GiFFORD, William, 236. 
 
 Gillespie, Thomas, 186. 
 
 Gillet, Thomas, no, 120, 143. 
 
 Good, J. Mason, 96. 
 
 Gould, H. F., 184. 
 
 GovER, Rev. Canon, 193. 
 
 G.- W., 216. 
 
 Hemans, Mrs., 28, 33, 38, 44, 126, 14 
 
 154, 180, 192. 
 Herrick, 45, 91, 148, 160. 
 HiNCKS, Rev. T., 219. 
 Hoffman, 9, 63, 201. 
 Holmes, O. W., 146. 
 Hood, 174. 
 
 Howell, Agnes R., 144, 219. 
 HowiTT, Mary, 18, 78. 
 Hunter, Mrs., 163. 
 HuRDis, James, 145. 
 Jewsbury, Miss, 46. 
 JONSON, Ben, 149. 
 Keats, 20, 65, 151. 
 Keble, 190, 220. 
 Landon, L. E., 27, 68, 230. 
 Longfellow, 10. 
 Mant, Bishop, 102, 140. 
 Martin, Theodore, 104, 189, 228. 
 Milton, 18, 66. 
 
 Montgomery, 87, 92, 132, 226, 227. 
 Moore, 37, 54, 131, 177, 187, 215. 
 
 i^ 
 
 -^5 
 
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 List of Authors. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Morpeth, Lord, 130. 
 
 Moultrie, 231. 
 
 NicoLL, Robert, 30, 170. 
 
 Patterson, Mary, 75. 
 
 Patterson, Robert, 32. 
 
 Percival, 12. 
 
 Peters, William, 34. 
 
 Prior, 56. 
 
 Prior, E.mma, 235. 
 
 Raleigh, 43, 232. 
 
 Ranking, B. Montgomerie, 77. 
 
 Robinson, Mary, 224. 
 
 Scott, Sir Walter, 84, 113, 233, 241. 
 
 Shakspere, 13, 117, 125, 238. 
 
 Shelley,. 26, 202, 233. 
 
 Sheridan, Mrs., 116. 
 
 Smith, Charlotte, 223. 
 Smith, Horace, 41. 
 Southey, R., 118. 
 Southey, Caroline, 164. 
 Spenser, 31, 176. 
 Sterling, John, 182, 185. 
 Strickland, Agnes, 53, 132. 
 Symmons, Caroline, 114. 
 Taylor, Miss Jane, 129. 
 Tighe, Mary, 134. 
 
 TiNSLEY, 44. 
 
 Townsend, C. H., 238. 
 
 Twamley, L. a., 55, 156, 239. 
 
 Waller, 175. 
 
 White, 162. 
 
 Wordsworth, 74, 86, 94, 97, 100, 166. 
 
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 >15 
 
 FLORAL POETRY. 
 
 PART I.-POEMS ON FLOWERS GENERALLY. 
 
 THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
 
 EACH thee their language? sweet, I know no tongue, 
 
 No mystic art those gentle things declare, 
 I ne'er could trace the schoolman's trick among 
 
 Created things, so delicate and rare : 
 Their language ? prythee ; why, they are themselves 
 
 But bright thoughts syllabled to shape and hue, 
 The tongue that erst was spoken by the elves. 
 
 When tenderness as yet within the world was new. 
 
 And oh ! do not their soft and starry eyes. 
 
 Now bent to earth, to heaven now meekly pleading, 
 Their incense fainting as it seeks the skies, 
 
 Yet still from earth with freshening hope receding — 
 Say, do not these to every heart declare. 
 
 With all the silent eloquence of truth. 
 The language that they speak is Nature's prayer, 
 
 To give her back those spotless days of youth ? 
 
 Hoffman. 
 
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^— -^ 
 
 ^° Floral Poetry. 
 
 ON FLOWERS. 
 
 SPAKE full well, in language quaint and olden, 
 One who dwelleth by the castled Rhine, 
 When he called the flowers, so blue and golden. 
 Stars, that in earth's firmament do shine. 
 
 Stars they are, wherein we read our history, 
 
 As astrologers and seers of eld; 
 Yet not so wrapped about with awful mystery. 
 
 Like the burning stars, which they beheld. 
 
 Wondrous truths, and manifold as wondrous, 
 God hath written in those stars above ; 
 
 But not less in the bright flowerets under us 
 Stands the revelation of His love. 
 
 Eright and glorious is that revelation 
 
 AVritten all over this great world of ours ; 
 
 Making evident our own creation. 
 
 In these stars of earth — these golden flowers. 
 
 jVnd the poet, faithful and far-seeing, 
 Sees, alike in stars and flowers, a part 
 
 Of the self-same universal being, 
 
 Which is throbbing in his brain and heart. 
 
 Gorgeous flowerets in the sunlight shining, 
 Blossoms flaunting in the 6)6 of day, 
 
 Tremulous leaves, with soft and silver lining, 
 Buds that open only to decay ; 
 
 Brilliant hopes, all woven in gorgeous tissues, 
 
 Flaunting gaily in the golden light ; 
 Large desires, with most uncertain issues ; 
 
 Tender wishes, blossoming at night ! 
 
Floral Poetry. n 
 
 These in flowers and men are more than seeming ; 
 
 Workings are they of the self-same powers, 
 Which the poet, in no idle dreaming, 
 
 Seeth in himself and in the flowers. 
 
 Everywhere about us are they glowing, 
 
 Some like stars, to tell us Spring is born ; 
 Others, their blue eyes with tears o'erflowing. 
 
 Stand like Ruth amid the golden corn ; 
 
 Not alone in Spring's armorial bearing, 
 
 And in Summer's green emblazoned field, 
 But in the arms of brave old Autumn's wearing. 
 
 In the centre of his brazen shield : 
 
 Not alone in meadows and green alleys. 
 
 On the mountain-top, and by the brink 
 Of sequestered pools in woodland valleys. 
 
 Where the slaves of Nature stoop to drink ; 
 
 Not alone in her vast dome of glory. 
 
 Not on graves of bird and beast alone. 
 But on old cathedrals, high and hoary, 
 
 On the tombs of heroes, carved in stone ; 
 
 In the cottage of the rudest peasant. 
 
 In ancestral homes, whose crumbling towers, 
 Speaking of the Past unto the Present, 
 
 Tell us of the ancient games of Flowers ; 
 
 In all places, then, and in all seasons. 
 
 Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings. 
 
 Teaching us, by most persuasive reasons. 
 How akin they are to human things. 
 
 And with child-like, credulous affection. 
 
 We behold their tender buds expand ; 
 Emblems of our own great resurrection, 
 
 Emblems of the bright and better land. 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
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pr ^ *^ 
 
 12 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
 
 Y N Eastern lands they talk in flowers, 
 K And tell in a garland their loves and cares ; 
 Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowers, 
 On its leaves a mystic language bears. 
 
 The Rose is a sign of joy and love. 
 
 Young blushing love in its earliest dawn ; 
 And the mildness that suits the gentle dove, 
 
 From the Myrtle's snowy flower is dra;vn. 
 
 Innocence shines in the Lily's bell. 
 
 Pure as the heart in its native heaven : 
 Fame's bright star and glory's swell. 
 
 By the glossy leaf of the Bay are given. 
 
 The silent, soft, and humble heart 
 
 In the Violet's hidden sweetness breathes ; 
 And the tender soul that cannot part, 
 
 A twine of evergreen fondly wreathes. 
 
 The Cypress that daily shades the grave. 
 
 Is sorrow that mourns her bitter lot ; 
 And faith, that a thousand ills can brave. 
 
 Speaks in thy blue leaves. Forget-me-not. 
 
 Then gather a wreath from the garden bowers. 
 And tell the wish of thy heart in flowers. 
 
 Pirnval. 
 ■^ -K^- 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 13 
 
 HERE'S FLOWERS FOR YOU. 
 
 Perdita. . . . Here's flowers for you : 
 
 Hot Lavender, Mints, Savory, Marjoram : 
 The Marigold, that goes to bed with the sun. 
 And with him rises weeping; these are flowers 
 Of middle summer, and, I think, they are given 
 To men of middle age : you are very welcome. 
 
 Camillo. I should leave grazing, were I of your flock, 
 And only live by gazing. 
 
 Perdita. Out, alas ! 
 
 You'd be so lean, that blasts of January 
 Would blow you through and through. — Now, my fairest 
 
 friend, 
 I would I had some flowers o' the Spring, that might 
 Become your time of day ; and yours, and yours ; 
 That wear upon your virgin branches yet 
 Your maidenheads growing : — O, Proserpina, 
 For the flowers now, that, frighted, thou lett'st fall 
 From Dis's waggon 1 Daffodils, 
 That come before the swallow dares, and take 
 The winds of March with beauty ; Violets, dim, 
 But sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes. 
 Or Cytherea's breath ; pale Primroses, 
 That die unmarried, ere they can behold 
 Bright Phoebus in his strength, a malady 
 Most incident to maids ; bold Oxhps, and 
 The Crown-imperial ; Lilies of all kinds. 
 The Flower-de-luce being one ! Oh ! these I lack, 
 To make you garlands of; and, my sweet friend. 
 To strew him o'er and o'er. 
 
 Shahfere, "A Winters Tale.". 
 
 fr ^ 
 
14 Floral Poetry. 
 
 
 ARRANGEMENT OF A BOUQUET. 
 
 HERE damask Roses, white and red, 
 Out of my lap first take I, 
 Which still shall run along the thread, 
 My chiefest flower this make I. 
 
 Amongst these Roses in a row, 
 Next place I Pinks in plenty, 
 
 These double Daisies then for show, 
 And will not this be dainty ? 
 
 The pretty Pansy then I'll tie 
 
 Like stones some chain inchasing ; 
 
 And next to them, their near ally. 
 The purple Violet placing. 
 
 The curious choice Clove July flower. 
 Whose kinds hight the Carnation, 
 
 For sweetness of most sovereign power. 
 Shall help my wreath to fashion ; 
 
 Whose sundry colours of one kind, 
 First from one root derived. 
 
 Them in their several suits I'll bind : 
 My garland so contrived. 
 
 A course of Cowslips then I'll stick 
 And here and there (though sparely) 
 
 The pleasant Primrose down I'll prick. 
 Like pearls that will show rarely ; 
 
 C? 
 
 t^ ^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 15 
 
 Then with these Marigolds I'll make 
 
 My garland somewhat swelling, 
 These Honeysuckles then I'll take, 
 
 Whose sweets shall help their smelling. 
 
 The Lily and the flower-de-lis. 
 
 For colour much contending ; 
 For that I them do only prize, 
 
 They are but poor in scenting. 
 
 The Daffodil most dainty is 
 
 To match with these in meetness ; 
 The Columbine compared to this, 
 
 All much alike for sweetness. 
 
 These in their natures only are 
 
 Fit to emboss the border, 
 Therefore I'll take especial care 
 
 To place them in their order : 
 
 Sweet-Williams, Campions, Sops-in-wine, 
 
 One by another neatly : 
 Thus have I made this wreath of mine, 
 
 And finishe'd it featly. 
 
 Drayton. 
 
 '^4r- ^ 
 
 a^' 
 
1 6 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE VOICE OF THE FLOWERS. 
 
 BLOSSOMS that lowly bend, 
 Shutting your leaves from evening's chilly dew ; 
 While your rich odours heavily ascend, 
 The flitting winds to woo. 
 
 I walk at silent eve, 
 
 When scarce a breath is in the garden bowers ; 
 And many a vision and wild fancy weave 
 
 'Midst you, ye lovely flowers. 
 
 Beneath the cool green boughs 
 
 And perfumed bells of the just-blossomed Lime, 
 That stoop and gently touch my feverish brow, 
 
 Fresh in their Summer prime ; 
 
 Or in the mossy dell, 
 
 Where the pale Primrose trembles at a breath ; 
 Or where the Lily, by the silent well. 
 
 Beholds her form beneath ; 
 
 Or where the rich Queen-Rose 
 
 Sits, throned and blushing, 'midst her leaves and moss ; 
 Or where the Wind-flower, pale and fragile, blows. 
 
 Or Violets banks emboss. 
 
 Here do I love to be — 
 
 Mine eyes alone in passionate love to dwell 
 Upon the loveliness and purity 
 
 Of every bud and bell. 
 
 Oh ! blessedness, to lie 
 
 By the clear brook, where the Long-Bennet dips ! 
 To press the Rosebud in its purity 
 
 Unto the burning lips ! 
 
 
Floral Poetry. 17 
 
 To lay the weary head 
 
 Upon the bank with Daisies all beset ; 
 Or with bare feet, at early dawn, to tread, 
 
 O'er mosses cool and wet ! 
 
 And then, to sit at noon 
 
 When bees are humming low, and birds are still, 
 And drowsy is the faint uncertain tone 
 
 Of the swift woodland rill. 
 
 And dreams can then reveal 
 
 That, worldless though ye be, ye have a tone, 
 
 A language, and a power, that I may feel 
 Thrilling my spirit lone. 
 
 Ye speak of hope and love, 
 
 Bright as your hues, and vague as your perfume ; 
 Of changeful, fragile thoughts, that brightly move 
 
 Men's hearts amid their gloom. 
 
 Ye speak of human life : 
 
 Its mystery — the beautiful and brief; 
 Its sudden fading, 'midst the tempest strife. 
 
 Even as a delicate leaf. 
 
 And more than all, ye speak 
 
 Of might and power, of mercy, of the One 
 Eternal, who hath strewed you fair and meet 
 
 To glisten in the sun : 
 
 To gladden all the earth 
 
 With bright and. beauteous emblems of His grace, 
 That showers its gifts of uncomputed worth 
 
 In every clime and place. 
 
 Browne. 
 
 ^ 4 
 
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 1 8 Floral Poetry. 
 
 FLOWERS. 
 
 YE valleys low, where the mild whispers rise 
 Of shades, and wanton winds, and gushing brooks, 
 On whose fresh lap the Swart-star sparely looks ; 
 Throw hither all your quaint enamelled eyes, 
 That on the green turf suck the honeyed showers, 
 And purple all the ground with vernal flowers. 
 Bring the rathe* Primrose that forsaken dies. 
 The tufted Crow-toe, and pale Jessamine, 
 The white Pink, and the Pansy freaked with jet, 
 The glowing Violet, 
 
 The Musk Rose, and the well-attired Woodbine, 
 With Cowslips wan that hang the pensive head, 
 And every flower that sad embroidery wears ; 
 Bid Amaranthus all his beauty shed, 
 And DaffodiUies fill their cups with tears. 
 To strew the laureate hearse where Lycid lies. 
 
 Milton. 
 
 USE OF FLOWERS. 
 
 GOD might have bade the earth bring forth 
 Enough for great and small, 
 The Oak tree and the Cedar tree, 
 Without a flower at all. 
 
 He might have made enough, enough 
 
 For every want of ours : 
 For luxury, medicine, and toil. 
 
 And yet have made no flowers. 
 
 * Early. 
 ^ ^ 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 19 
 
 The ore within the mountain mine 
 
 Requireth none to grow, 
 Nor doth it need the Lotus flower 
 
 To make the river flow. 
 
 The clouds might give abundant rain, 
 
 The mighty dews might fall. 
 And the herb that keepeth life in man 
 
 Might yet have drunk them all. 
 
 Then wherefore, wherefore were they made 
 
 All dyed with rainbow light : 
 All fashioned with supremest grace, 
 
 Upspringing day and night. 
 
 Springing in valleys green and low. 
 
 And on the mountain high. 
 And in the silent wilderness, 
 
 Where no man passes by ? 
 
 Our outward life requires them not — 
 Then wherefore had they birth ? 
 
 To minister dehght to man. 
 To beautify the earth ; 
 
 To comfort man, to whisper hope 
 
 Whene'er his faith is dim ; 
 For Who so careth for the flowers. 
 
 Will much more care for him ! 
 
 Mary Ilmiitt. 
 
 U^ 4 
 
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 20 Floral Poetry. 
 
 WILD FLOWERS. 
 
 Y STOOD tiptoe upon a little hill ; 
 
 k The air was cooling, and so very still, 
 
 That the sweet buds which, with a modest pride 
 
 Pull droopingly, in slanting curve aside, 
 
 Their scanty-leaved, and finely tapering stems. 
 
 Had not yet lost their starry diadems. 
 
 Caught from the early sobbings of the morn. 
 
 The clouds were pure and white as flocks new shorn. 
 
 And fresh from the clear brook ; sweetly they slept 
 
 On the blue fields of heaven, and then there crept 
 
 A little noiseless noise among the leaves. 
 
 Born of the very sigh that silence heaves ; 
 
 For not the faintest motion could be seen 
 
 Of all the shades that slanted o'er the green. 
 
 There was wide wandering for the greediest eye, 
 
 To peer about upon variety ; 
 
 Far round the horizon's crystal air to skim. 
 
 And trace the dwindled edgings of its brim ; 
 
 To picture out the Cjuaint and curious bending 
 
 Of a fresh woodland alley never-ending : 
 
 Or by the bowery clefts, and leafy shelves, 
 
 Guess where the jaunty streams refresh themselves. 
 
 I gazed awhile, and felt as light and free 
 
 As though the fanning wings of Mercury 
 
 Had play'd upon my heels : I was light-hearted. 
 
 And many pleasures to my vision started ; 
 
 So I straightway began to pluck a posy 
 
 Of luxuries bright, milky, soft, and rosy. 
 
 A bush of May-flowers with the bees about them ; 
 
 Ah, sure no tasteful nook could be without them ! 
 
 And let a lush Laburnum oversweep them. 
 
 And let long grass grow round the roots, to keep them 
 
 r.-j 
 
 t^- 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 Moist, cool, and green ; and shade the Violets, 
 That they may bind the moss in leafy nets. 
 
 A Filbert hedge with Wildbrier overtwined, 
 And clumps of Woodbine taking the soft wind 
 Upon their Summer thrones ; there, too, should be 
 The frequent chequer of a youngling tree. 
 That with a score of light green brethren shoots 
 From the quaint mossiness of aged roots : 
 Round which is heard a spring-head of clear waters, 
 Babbling so wildly of its lovely daughters. 
 The spreading Bluebells : it may haply mourn 
 That such fair clusters should be rudely torn 
 From their fresh beds, and scatter'd thoughtlessly 
 By infant hands, left on the path to die. 
 
 Open afresh your round of starry folds. 
 Ye ardent Marigolds ! 
 
 Dry up the moisture from your golden lids. 
 For great Apollo bids 
 
 That in these days your praises should be sung 
 On many harps, which he has lately strung; 
 And when again your dewiness he kisses. 
 Tell him, I have you in my world of bUsses : 
 So, haply when I rove in some far vale, 
 His mighty voice may come upon the gale. 
 
 Here are Sweet Peas, on tiptoe for a flight: 
 With wings of gentle flush o'er delicate white. 
 And taper fingers catching at all things. 
 To bind them all about with tiny rings. 
 What next ? a turf of evening Primroses, 
 O'er which the mind may hover till it dozes ; 
 O'er which it well might take a pleasant sleep, 
 But that 'tis ever startled by the leap 
 Of buds into ripe flowers. 
 
 Keats. 
 
 ^- 
 
2 2 Floral Poetry. 
 
 SONGS OF THE FLOWERS. 
 
 SNOWDROP. 
 
 HURSLING of the new-born year, 
 Sporting with the tempest's might, 
 Like the snowflake I appear, 
 Robed in winter's vestal white. 
 
 CROCUS. 
 
 Forth from my bulbous dwelling 
 I leapt at the summons of Spring, 
 
 What herald of emperor's telling 
 So gorgeous a tabard could bring? 
 
 .SWEET VIOLET. 
 
 Born on a sloping bank, 'neath an old hawthorn tree, 
 I shrank from the passing gaze, like a maiden, timidly, 
 Till the wooing winds of March came whispering such a tale, 
 That I op'd my balmy stores to enrich their healthful gale. 
 
 PRIMROSE. 
 
 Near to a prattling stream. 
 
 Or under the hedgerow trees, 
 I bask in the sun's glad beam, 
 
 And hst to the passing breeze. 
 
 \Vhen the village school is o'er. 
 
 And the happy children free, 
 Gladly they seek to explore 
 
 Haunts that are perfumed by nie. 
 
 -^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 23 
 
 HEATH. 
 
 When the wild bee comes with a murmuring song, 
 Pilfering sweets as he roams along, 
 
 I uprear my purple bell : 
 Listening the freeborn eagle's cry, 
 Marking the heath-cock's glancing eye. 
 
 On the mountain side I dwell. 
 
 The echoes yet the notes prolong, 
 
 When one, who oft o'er hill and dell 
 
 Had sought the spots where flowerets dwell, 
 
 And knew their names and functions well. 
 
 And could of all their changes tell, 
 Thus answered to their song : 
 
 " Loveliest children of earth. 
 
 Of more than each rainbow hue. 
 Of beauty coeval with birth. 
 
 And fragrance found only in you ! 
 
 " O ! that like you I could live. 
 Free from all malice and strife, 
 That each thought and each pulse I could give 
 To the beautiful Giver of Life. 
 
 " Until earth shall wax old and decay. 
 You shall ever triumphantly shine. 
 And on leaf and on petal display 
 The work of an Artist Divine." 
 
 Robert Patterson. 
 
 fe. ji 
 
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 >^: 
 
 24 Flo7'al Poetry. 
 
 A WILD FLOWER. 
 
 DOWN the shadowed lane she goes, 
 And her arms are laden 
 With the Woodbine and Wild Rose — 
 
 Happy httle maiden ! 
 Sweetly, sweetly doth she sing 
 
 As the lark above her : 
 Surely every living thing 
 
 That has seen must love her. 
 
 As she strayed and as she sung, 
 
 Happy little maiden ! 
 Shadowy lanes and dells among. 
 
 With wild flowers laden, 
 Chanced a bonny youth that way, 
 
 For the lanes were shady : 
 She dropped one wee flower, they say, 
 
 Did this little lady. 
 
 Dropped a flower, so they say; 
 
 Dropped, and never missed it ; 
 And the youth, alack-a-day ! 
 
 Picked it up and kissed it. 
 Now in sweet lane wanderings. 
 
 With love flowers laden, 
 With her love she strays and sings, 
 
 Happy little maiden ! 
 
 Anon. 
 
 m<- 
 
^ —m 
 
 Floral Poetry. 25 
 
 EMBLEMS OF FLOWERS. 
 
 A DOWN winding Nith I did wander 
 To mark the sweet flowers as they spring ! 
 Adown winding Nith I did wander, 
 Of Phillis to muse and to sing. 
 
 The Daisy amused my fond fancy, 
 
 So artless, so simple, so wild ; 
 Thou emblem, said I, o' my Phillis, 
 
 For she is simplicity's child. 
 
 The Rosebud's the blush o' my charmer, 
 Her sweet balmy lip when 'tis prest : 
 
 How fair and how pure is the Lily, 
 But fairer and purer her breast. 
 
 Yon knot of gay flowers in the arbour. 
 They ne'er wi' my Phillis can vie : 
 
 Her breath is the breath of the Woodbine, 
 Its dew-drop o' diamond her eye. 
 
 Her voice is the song of the morning. 
 
 That wakes through the green-spreading grove. 
 
 When Phoebus peeps over the mountains, 
 On music, and pleasure, and love. 
 
 But beauty how frail and how fleeting. 
 
 The bloom of a fine summer's day ! 
 
 While worth in the mind o' my Phillis 
 
 Will flourish without a decay. 
 
 Burns. 
 
 k^- 
 
Pr ^ 
 
 26 Floral Poetry. 
 
 WILD FLOWERS. 
 
 Y DREAMED that, as I wandered by the way, 
 ^ Bare ^Vinter suddenly was changed to Spring, 
 And gentle odours led my steps astray, 
 
 Mixed with a sound of waters murmuring 
 Along a shelving bank of turf, which lay 
 
 Under a copse, and hardly dared to fling 
 Its green arms round the bosom of the stream. 
 But kissed it and then fled, as thou might'st in a dream. 
 
 There grew pied Wind-flowers and Violets, 
 
 Daisies, those pearled Arcturi of the earth, 
 The constellated flower that never sets ; 
 
 Faint Oxlips ; tender Bluebells, at whose birth 
 The sod scarce heaved ; and that tall flower that wets 
 Its mother's face with heaven-collected tears. 
 When the low wind, its playmate's voice, it hears. 
 
 And in the warm hedge grew lush Eglantine, 
 
 Green Cowbind and the moonlight-coloured May, 
 
 And Cherry blossoms, and white cups, whose wine 
 \Vns the bright dew yet drained not by the day ; 
 
 And ^Vild Roses, and Ivy serpentine, 
 
 With its dark buds and leaves, wandering astray, 
 
 And flowers azure, black, and streaked with gold, 
 
 Fairer than any wakened eyes behold. 
 
 And nearer to the river's trembling edge, 
 
 There grew broad Flag-flowers, purple prankt with white, 
 
 And starry River-buds among the sedge. 
 
 And floating Water Lilies, broad and bright, 
 
 ;^ 4 
 
^ ^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 27 
 
 Which lit the oak that overhung the hedge 
 
 With moonlight beams of their own watery light ; 
 And bulrushes and reeds of such deep green 
 As soothed the dazzled eye with sober sheen. 
 
 Methought that of these visionary flowers 
 
 I made a nosegay, bound in such a way 
 That the same hues which in their natural bowers 
 
 Were mingled or opposed, the like array 
 Kept these imprisoned children of the hours 
 
 Within my hand, — and then, elate and gay, 
 I hastened to the spot whence I had come, 
 That I might there present it ! — Oh ! to whom ? 
 
 Shelley. 
 
 DECISION OF THE FLOWER. 
 
 AND with scarlet Poppies, around like a bower. 
 The maiden found her mystic flower. 
 " Now, gentle flower, I pray thee, tell 
 If my lover loves me, and loves me well : 
 So may the fall of the morning dew 
 Keep the sun from fading thy tender blue. 
 Now I number the leaves for my lot — 
 He loves not — he loves me — he loves me not — 
 He loves me — yes, thou last leaf, yes — 
 I'll pluck thee not for the last sweet guess ! 
 He loves me ! " — " Yes," a dear voice sighed. 
 And her lover stands by Margaret's side. 
 
 L. E. Landon. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 1:3 
 
28 Floral Poetry. 
 
 "GO TO THE FOREST SHADE." 
 
 ^ 
 
 10 to the forest shade — 
 Seek thou the well-known glade, 
 Where, heavy with sweet dew, the Violets lie, 
 Gleaming through moss-tufts deep, 
 Like dark eyes filled with sleep. 
 And bathed in hues of summer's midnight sky. 
 
 Bring me their buds, to shed 
 
 Around my dying bed 
 A breath of May, and of the wood's repose ; 
 
 For I in sooth depart 
 
 With a reluctant heart, 
 That fain would linger where the bright sun glows. 
 
 Fain would I stay with thee — 
 
 Alas ! this may not be ; 
 Yet bring me still the gifts of happier hours ! 
 
 Go where the fountain's breast 
 
 Catches, in glassy rest. 
 The dim green light that pours through Laurel bowers. 
 
 I know how softly bright. 
 
 Steeped in that tender light, 
 The Water-lilies tremble there e'en now ; 
 
 Go to the pure stream's edge, 
 
 And from its whispering sedge 
 Bring me those flowers to cool my fevered brow ! 
 
 Then, as in Hope's young days, 
 
 Track thou the antique maze 
 Of the rich garden to its grassy mound ; 
 
 There is a lone White Rose, 
 
 Shedding, in sudden snows. 
 Its faint leaves o'er the emerald turf around. 
 
 S> 
 
 ^- 
 
Floral Poetry. 29 
 
 -^ 
 
 Well know'st thou that fair tree — 
 
 A murmur of the bee 
 Dwells ever in the honied lime above ; 
 
 Bring me one pearly flower 
 
 Of all its clustering shower — 
 For on that spot we first revealed our love. 
 
 Gather one Woodbine bough, 
 
 Then, from the lattice low 
 Of the bowered cottage which I bade thee mark. 
 
 When by the hamlet last, 
 
 Through dim wood-lanes we passed. 
 While dews were glancing to the glow-worm's spark. 
 
 Haste ! to my pillow bear 
 
 Those fragrant things and fair, 
 Thy hand no more may bind them up at eve — 
 
 Yet shall their odour soft 
 
 One bright dream round me waft 
 Of life, youth, summer — all that I must leave ! 
 
 And, oh ! if thou would'st ask 
 
 Wherefore thy steps I task. 
 The grove, the stream, the hamlet vale to trace, 
 
 'Tis that some thought of me. 
 
 When I am gone, may be 
 The spirit bound to each familiar place. 
 
 I bid mine image dwell 
 
 (Oh ! break not thou the spell) 
 In the deep wood and by the fountain side ; 
 
 Thou must not, my beloved ! 
 
 Rove where we two have roved, 
 Forgetting her that in her spring-time died ! 
 
 Mrs. Honans. 
 
3° Flo7'al Poetry. 
 
 WILD FLOWERS. 
 
 BEAUTIFUL children of the woods and fields ! 
 That bloom by mountain streamlets 'mid the heather, 
 Or into clusters 'neath the hazels gather — 
 Or where by hoary rocks you make your bields, 
 And sweetly flourish on through Summer weather — 
 
 I love ye all ! 
 
 Beautifiil flowers ! to me ye fresher seem 
 From the Almighty Hand that fashioned all, 
 Than those that flourish by a garden-wall ; 
 And I can image you, as in a dream, 
 Fair, modest maidens, nursed in hamlets small — 
 
 I love ye all ! 
 
 Beautiful gems ! that on the brow of earth 
 
 Are fixed as in a queenly diadem : 
 
 Though lowly ye, and most without a name. 
 
 Young hearts rejoice to see your buds come forth. 
 
 As light erewhile into the world came — 
 
 I love ye all ! 
 
 Beautiful things ye are, where'er ye grow ! 
 
 The wild Red Rose — the Speedwell's peeping eyes — 
 
 Our own Bluebell — the Daisy, that doth rise 
 
 Wherever sunbeams fall or winds do blow ; 
 
 And thousands more, of blessed forms and dyes — 
 
 I love ye all ! 
 
 :^ ^ . 4 
 
^ — ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 31 
 
 Beautiful nurslings of the early dew, 
 Fanned in your loveliness by every breeze, 
 And shaded o'er by green and arching trees : 
 I often wished that I were one of you, 
 Dwelling afar upon the grassy leas — 
 
 I love ye all ! 
 
 Beautiful children of the glen and dell — 
 
 The dingle deep — the moorland stretching wide, 
 
 And of the mossy fountain's sedgy side ! 
 
 Ye o'er my heart have thrown a lovesome spell ; 
 
 And though the worldling, scorning, may deride — 
 
 I love ye all ! 
 
 Robert Nicoll. 
 
 SONNET. 
 
 SWEET is the Rose, but growes upon a brere ; 
 Sweet is the Juniper, but sharpe his bough ; 
 Sweet is the Eglantine, but pricketh nere ; 
 Sweet is the Firbloom, but his branches rough ; 
 Sweet is the Cypress, but his rind is tough ; 
 Sweet is the Nut, but bitter is his pill ; 
 Sweet is the Broome-flowere, but yet sowre enough ; 
 And sweet is Moly, but his roote is ill. 
 So every sweet with sowre is tempred still, 
 That maketh it be coveted the more : 
 For easie things that may be got at will, 
 .Most sorts of men doe set but little store. 
 Why then should I account of little pain. 
 That endless pleasure shall unto me gaine ? 
 
 Spenser. 
 
^ ■ ^ 
 
 32 Floral Poetry. 
 
 CHILDREN OF THE SUN'S FIRST GLANCING. 
 
 CHILDREN of the sun's first glancing, 
 Flowers that deck the bounteous earth 
 Joy and mirth are round ye dancing, 
 
 Nature smiled upon your birth ; 
 Light hath veined your petals tender. 
 And with hues of matchless splendour 
 
 Flora paints each dewy bell ; 
 But lament, ye sweet spring blossoms, 
 Soul hath never thrilled your bosoms, 
 
 All in cheerless night ye dwell. 
 
 Nightingale and lark are singing 
 
 Many a lay of love to you ; 
 In your chaliced blossoms swinging. 
 
 Tiny sylphs their sylphids woo ; 
 Deep within the painted bower 
 Of a soft and perfumed flower, 
 
 Venus once did fall asleep ; 
 But no pulse of passion darted 
 Through your breast, by her imparted — 
 
 Children of the morning, weep. 
 
 When my mother's harsh rejection 
 
 Bids me cease my love to speak — 
 Pledges of a true affection. 
 
 When your gentle aid I seek — 
 Then by every voiceless token 
 Hope, and faith unchanged, are spoken. 
 
 And by you my bosom grieves ; 
 Love himself among you stealeth. 
 And his awful form concealeth. 
 
 Shut within your folding leaves. 
 
 Frotii Schiller, 
 ^ 
 
^' ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 33 
 
 THE FLOWER-DIAL. 
 
 '/TXWAS a lovely thought to mark the hours, 
 
 A As they floated in light away, 
 By the opening and the folding flowers. 
 
 That laugh to the Summer's day. 
 
 Thus had each moment its own rich hue, 
 
 And its graceful cup and bell, 
 In whose coloured vase might sleep the dew, 
 
 Like a pearl in an ocean shell. 
 
 To such sweet signs might the time have flowed 
 
 In a golden current on. 
 Ere from the garden, man's first abode, 
 
 The glorious guests were gone. 
 
 So might the days have been brightly told — 
 
 Those days of song and dreams — 
 When shepherds gathered their flocks of old, 
 
 By the blue Arcadian streams. 
 
 So in those isles of delight, that rest 
 
 Far off" in a breezeless main. 
 Which many a bark, with a weary quest. 
 
 Has sought, but still in vain. 
 
 Yet is not life, in its real flight, 
 
 Marked thus — even thus — on earth, 
 By the closing of one hope's delight. 
 
 And another's gentle birth ? 
 
 Oh ! let us live, so that flower by flower, 
 
 Shutting in turn, may leave 
 A lingerer still for the sunset hour, 
 
 A cliarm for the shaded eve. 
 
 Mrs. Hejnans. 
 ^. . ^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 34 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE WREATH. 
 
 TO A FRIEND ON HER BIRTHDAY. 
 
 Y ET Others sing the rich, the great, 
 
 *-* The victor's palm, the monarch's state, 
 
 A purer joy be mine — 
 To greet the excellent of earth, 
 To call down blessings on thy worth. 
 And, for the hour that gave thee birth, 
 
 Life's choicest flowers entwine. 
 
 And lo ! where smiling from above 
 (Meet helpmate in the work of love) 
 
 O'er opening hill and lawn, 
 With flowerets of a thousand dyes. 
 With all that's sweet of earth and skies, 
 
 Soft breathes the vernal dawn. 
 
 Come ! from her stores we'll cull the best 
 
 Thy bosom to adorn ; 
 Each leaf in livelier verdure drest, 
 Each blossom balmier than the rest. 
 
 Each rose without a thorn ; 
 Fleet tints, that with the rainbow died. 
 Brief flowers, that withered in their pride, 
 Shall, blushing into light, awake 
 And kindlier bloom, for thy dear sake. 
 
 And first — though oft, alas ! condemned 
 Like merit, to the shade — 
 
 The Primrose meek, with dews begemmed, 
 Shall sparkle in the braid ; 
 
 
 -^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 35 
 
 And there, as sisters, side by side 
 (Genius with modesty alhed). 
 The Pink's bright red, the Violet's blue, 
 In blended rays, shall greet our view. 
 Each lovelier for the other's hue. 
 
 How soft yon Jasmine's sunlit glow. 
 How chaste yon Lily's robe of snow. 
 
 With Myrtle green inwove. 
 Types, dearest, of thyself and me — 
 Of thy mild grace and purity. 
 
 And ray unchanging love, 
 Of grace and purity, like thine, 
 And love, undying love, like mine. 
 
 In fancifully plumed array, 
 As ever cloud at set of day, 
 All azure, vermil, silver-grey, 
 
 And showering thick perfume. 
 See how the Lilac's clustered spray 
 
 Has kindled into bloom. 
 Radiant as Joy, o'er troubles past. 
 And whispering, " Spring is come at last ! " 
 
 Blest Flowers ! There breathes not one unfraught 
 
 With lessons sweet and new ; 
 The Rose, in Taste's own garden wrought ; 
 The Pansy, nurse of tender thought ; 
 
 The Wallflower, tried and true ; 
 The purple Heath, so lone and fair ; 
 (O how unlike the world's vain glare !) 
 
36 Floral Poetry. 
 
 /-'^ 
 
 The Daisy, so contently^gay, 
 Opening her eyelids with the day ; 
 The Gorse-bloom, never sad or sere, 
 
 But golden bright, 
 
 As gems of night, 
 And fresh and fragrant all the year ; 
 Each leaf, each bud of classic lore. 
 Oak, Hyacinth, and Floramore ; 
 The Cowslip, graceful in her woe ; 
 The Hawthorn's smile, the Poppy's glow. 
 This ripe with balm for present sorrow, 
 And that with raptures for to-morrow. 
 
 The flowers are culled ; and each lithe stem 
 
 \Vith Woodbine band we braid — 
 With Woodbine, type of Life's best gem, 
 
 Of truth that will not fade. 
 The wreath is wove ; do Thou, blest Power, 
 That brood'st o'er leaflet, fruit, and flower. 
 
 Embalm it with Thy love ; 
 Oh ! make it such as angels wear. 
 Pure, bright, as decked earth's first-born pair, 
 
 Whilst free in Eden's grove, 
 From herb and plant they brushed the dew. 
 And neither sin nor sorrow knew. 
 
 i\ illiavi Peters. 
 
 i^- 
 
 --tFt] 
 
^ ■ ' ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 37 
 
 LOVE'S WREATH. 
 
 ^QJHEN Love was a child, and went idling round 
 '' " 'Mong flowers, the whole summer's day. 
 One morn in the valley a bower he found. 
 So sweet, it allured him to stay. 
 
 O'erhead from the trees hung a garland fair, 
 
 A fountain ran darkly beneath ; 
 'Twas Pleasure that hung up the flow'rets there ; 
 
 Love knew it and jumped at the wreath. 
 
 But Love didn't know — and at his weak years, 
 
 What urchin was likely to know? — 
 That sorrow had made of her own salt tears. 
 
 The fountain which murmured below. 
 
 He caught at the wreath — but with too much haste, 
 
 As boys when impatient will do — 
 It fell in those waters of briny taste. 
 
 And the flowers were all wet through. 
 
 Yet this is the wreath he wears night and day; 
 
 And, though it all sunny appears 
 With Pleasure's own lustre, each leaf, they say. 
 
 Still tastes of the fountain of tears. 
 
 Moore. 
 
 i^ 
 
^ 
 
 ^9 
 
 38 Floral Poetry. 
 
 BRING FLOWERS. 
 
 BRING flowers, young ilowers, for the festal board, 
 To wreathe the cup ere the wine is poured ; 
 Bring flowers ! they are springing in wood and vale. 
 Their breath floats out on the southern gale, 
 And the touch of the sunbeam hath waked the Rose, 
 To deck the hall where the bright wind flows. 
 
 Bring flowers to strew in the conqueror's path — 
 He hath shaken thrones with his stormy .wrath ! 
 He comes with the spoils of nations back, 
 The vines he crushed in his chariot's track, 
 The turf looks red where he won the day — 
 Bring flowers to die in the conqueror's way ! 
 
 Bring flowers to the captive's lonely cell, 
 
 They have tales of the joyous woods to tell ; 
 
 Of the free blue streams, and the glowing sky, 
 
 And the bright world shut from his languid eye ; 
 
 They will bear him a thought of the sunny hours, 
 
 And a dream of his youth — bring him flowers, wild flowers ! 
 
 Bring flowers, fresh flowers, for the bride to wear ! 
 They were worn to blush in her shining hair ; 
 She is leaving the home of her childhood's mirth, 
 She hath bid farewell to her father's hearth ; 
 Her place is now by another's side — 
 Bring flowers for the locks of the fair young bride. 
 
 fe-< -feb 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 39 
 
 Bring flowers, pale flowers, o'er the bier to shed, 
 
 A crown for the brow of the early dead ! 
 
 For this through its leaves hath the Wild Rose burst, 
 
 For this in the woods was the Violet nursed ! 
 
 Though they smile in vain for what once was ours, 
 
 They are Love's last gift — bring ye flowers, pale flowers ! 
 
 Bring flowers to the shrine where we kneel in prayer, 
 
 They are Nature's offering, their place is there I 
 
 They speak of hope to the fainting heart. 
 
 With a voice of promise they come and part. 
 
 They sleep in dust in the wintry hours. 
 
 They break forth in glory — bring flowers, bright flowers ! 
 
 Mrs. Hemans. 
 
 FRAGMENT. 
 
 SOME clothe the soil that feeds them, far diffused 
 And lowly creeping, modest and yet fair. 
 Like Virtue, thriving most where little seen ; 
 Some, more aspiring, catch the neighbour shrub 
 With clasping tendrils, and invest his branch, 
 Else unadorned, with many a gay festoon 
 And fragrant chaplet, recompensing well 
 The strength they borrow with the grace they lend. 
 
 Co'Ltiper. 
 
 \I&S^ 
 
 i^ ^ 
 
^ — 
 
 40 Floral Poetry. 
 
 DAWN, GENTLE FLOWER. 
 
 YAAWN, gentle flower, 
 *-^ From the morning ecarth ! 
 We will gaze and wonder 
 At thy wondrous birth ! 
 
 Bloom, gentle flower ! 
 
 Lover of the night. 
 Sought by wind and shower, 
 
 Fondled by the night ! 
 
 Fade, gentle flower ! 
 
 All thy white leaves close ; 
 Having shone thy beauty. 
 
 Time 'tis for repose. 
 
 Die, gentle flower. 
 
 In the silent sun ! 
 So — all pangs are over. 
 
 All thy tasks are done ! 
 
 Day hath no more glory, 
 
 Though he soars so high ; 
 Thine is all man's story — 
 
 Live — and Iotc — and die ! 
 
 Barrv Coi'nwall. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 41 
 
 HYMN TO THE FLOWERS. 
 
 DAY-STARS ! that ope your eyes with man, to twinkle 
 From rainbow galaxies of earth's creation, 
 And dew-drops on her holy altars sprinkle 
 As a libation. 
 
 Ye matin worshippers ! who, bending lowly 
 Before the uprisen sun, God's lidless eye ! 
 Throw from your chalices a sweet and holy 
 Incense on high. 
 
 Ye bright Mosaics ! that with storied beauty 
 
 The floor of Nature's temple tesselate 
 With numerous emblems of instructive duty 
 Your forms create. 
 
 'Neath cloistered boughs, each floral bell that swingeth. 
 
 And tolls its perfume on the passing air. 
 Makes Sabbath in the fields, ■ and ever ringeth 
 A call to prayer. 
 
 Not to the domes where crumbling arch and column 
 
 Attest the feebleness of mortal hand. 
 But to that fane, most catholic and solemn. 
 Which God hath planned. 
 
 To that cathedral, boundless as our wonder, 
 
 Whose quenchless lamps the sun and moon supply ; 
 Its choir the winds and waves — its organ thunder — 
 Its dome the sky. 
 
^- % 
 
 42 Floral Poetry. 
 
 There, as in solitude and shade I wander, 
 
 Through the green aisles, or stretched upon the sod. 
 Awed by the silence, reverently ponder 
 The ways of God. 
 
 Your voiceless lips, O flowers ! are living preachers, 
 
 Each cup a pulpit, and each leaf a book, 
 Supplying to my fancy numerous teachers 
 From loneliest nook. 
 
 Floral apostles ! that in dewy splendour, 
 
 " Weep without woe, and blush without a crime," 
 O may I deeply learn, and ne'er surrender 
 Your lore sublime ! 
 
 " Thou wert not, Solomon, in all thy glory. 
 
 Arrayed," the lilies cry, " in robes like ours ; 
 How vain your grandeur ! ah, how transitory 
 Are human flowers ! " 
 
 In the sweet-scented pictures, heavenly Artist ! 
 
 With which thou paintest Nature's widespread hall, 
 What a delightful lesson thou impartest 
 Of love to all ! 
 
 Not useless are ye, flowers, though made for pleasure, 
 
 Blooming o'er field and wave by day and night. 
 From every source your sanction bids me treasure 
 Harmless delight. 
 
 Ephemeral sages ! what instructors hoary 
 
 For such a world of thought could furnish scope ? 
 Each fading calyx a memento mori, 
 Yet fount of hope. 
 
^r ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 43 
 
 Posthumous glories ! angel-like collection ! 
 
 Upraised from seed or bulb interred in earth, 
 Ye are to me a type of resurrection, 
 A second birth. 
 
 Were I, O God, in churchless lands remaining, 
 
 Far from all voice of teachers or divines, 
 My soul would find, in flowers of thy ordaining, 
 Priests, sermons, shrines ! 
 
 Horace Smith. 
 
 THE SHEPHERD TO THE FLOWERS. 
 
 SWEET Violets, Love's paradise, that spread 
 Your gracious odours, which you, couchdd, bear 
 
 Within your paly faces. 
 Upon the gentle wing of some calm-breathing wind, 
 
 That plays amidst the plain ! 
 
 If, by the favour of propitious stars, you gain 
 Such grace as in my lady's bosom place to find. 
 
 Be proud to touch those places : 
 And when her warmth your moisture forth doth wear. 
 
 Whereby her dainty parts are sweetly fed, 
 You, honours of the flowery meads, I pray, 
 
 You pretty daughters of the earth and sun. 
 With mild and seemly breathing straight display 
 
 My bitter sighs, that have my heart undone ! 
 
 Sir Walter Raleigh. 
 
 fc ^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 44 Floral Poetry. 
 
 BLESSED BE GOD FOR FLOWERS. 
 
 BLESSED be God for flowers ; 
 For the bright, gentle, holy thoughts that breathe 
 From out their odorous beauty, like a wreath 
 Of sunshine on life's hours. 
 
 Ay, prize them well, my child — 
 The bright young blooming things that never die — 
 Pointing our hopes to happier worlds that lie 
 
 Far o'er this earthly wild ; 
 
 Prize them, that when forgot 
 By all, their old familiar tints shall bring 
 Sweet thoughts of her, whose dirge the deep winds sing. 
 
 And whose love earth holds not ; 
 
 Prize them, that through all hours 
 Thou hold'st sweet commune with their beauty here ; 
 And, rich in this, through many a future year, 
 
 Bless thou our God for flowers ! 
 
 I^Irs. Tinsley. 
 
 THE BROKEN FLOWER. 
 
 OH ! wear it on thy heart, my love, 
 Still, still a little while ; 
 Sweetness is lingering in its leaves, 
 
 Though faded be their smile. 
 Yet for the sake of what hath been. 
 
 Oh ! cast it not away ; 
 'Twas born to grace a summer scene, 
 A long, bright, golden day. 
 
 My love, 
 A long, bright, golden day ! 
 
Floral Poetry. 45 
 
 A little while around thee, love, 
 
 Its fragrance yet shall cling, 
 Telling that on thy heart hath lain 
 
 A fair though faded thing. 
 But not even that warm heart hath power 
 
 To win it back from fate : — 
 Oh ! I am like thy broken flower, 
 
 Cherished too late, too late, 
 
 My love. 
 
 Cherished, alas ! too late. 
 
 Mrs. Hemaiis. 
 
 TO BLOSSOMS. 
 
 FAIR pledges of a fruitful tree. 
 Why do ye fall so fast ? 
 Your date is not so past, 
 But you may stay here yet awhile, 
 To blush and gently smile. 
 And go at last. 
 
 What ! were ye born to be 
 
 An hour or half's delight. 
 
 And so to bid good-night ? 
 'Twas pity Nature brought ye forth 
 
 Merely to show your worth. 
 And lose you quite. 
 
 But ye are lovely leaves, where we 
 May read how soon things have 
 Their end, though ne'er so brave ; 
 
 And after they have shown their pride. 
 
 Like you, awhile, they glide 
 
 Into the grave. 
 
 Herrick. 
 
«v 
 
 46 Floral Poetry. 
 
 -^ 
 
 FADED FLOWERS. 
 
 Y?CADED flowers, 
 
 ^ Sweet faded flowers, 
 
 Beauty and death 
 
 Have ruled your hours, 
 Ye woke in bloom but a morn ago, 
 And now are your blossoms in dust laid low. 
 
 But yesterday, 
 
 With the breeze ye strove — 
 
 In the play of life. 
 
 In the pride of love ; 
 To and fro swung each radiant head. 
 That now is drooping, and pale, and dead ! 
 
 Delicate flower. 
 
 With the pearl-white bells, 
 
 No more shall dew-drop 
 
 Sleep in thy cells ! 
 No more, rich Rose, on thy heaving breast, 
 The honey-bee fold his wings to rest ! 
 
 Fair myrtle tree. 
 
 Thy blossoms lie low. 
 
 But green above them 
 
 The branches grow ; 
 Like a buried love, or a vanished joy, 
 Linked unto memories none destroy. 
 
Floral Poetry. 47 
 
 Faded flowers, 
 Sweet faded flowers ! — 
 Fair frail records 
 Of Eden's bowers ; 
 In a world where sorrow and wrong bear sway, 
 \ Why should ye linger ? — Away 1 away ! 
 
 What were the emblems 
 
 Pride to stain, 
 
 Might ye your glorious 
 
 Crowns retain ? 
 And what for the young heart, bowed with grief, 
 Were the Rose ne'er seen with a withered leaf ! 
 
 Ye bloom to tell us 
 
 What once hath, been ; 
 
 What yet shall in heaven 
 
 Again be seen ; 
 Ye die, that man in his strength may learn 
 How vain the hopes in his heart that burn. 
 
 Many in form, 
 
 And bright in hue ! 
 
 I know your fate — 
 
 But the earth to strew — 
 And my soul flies on to immortal bowers, 
 Where the heart and the Rose are not faded flowers. 
 
 Miss Jewsbiiiy. 
 
 ^ ™.,„„==.™=_=___=__=.=-.™-__._ Ji 
 
-^ 
 
 48 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TRANSPLANTED FLOWERS. 
 
 YE living gems of cold and fragrant fire ! 
 Die ye for ever, when ye die, ye flowers ? 
 Take ye, when in your beauty ye expire, 
 An everlasting farewell of your bowers ? 
 No more to listen for the wooing air. 
 And song-brought morn, the cloud-tinged woodlands 
 
 o'er! 
 No more to June's soft lip your breasts to bare. 
 And drink fond evening's dewy breath no more ! 
 Soon fades the sweetest, first the fairest dies. 
 For frail and fair are sisters ; but the heart. 
 Filled with deep love, Death's power to kill denies, 
 And sobs e'en o'er the dead, "We cannot part!" 
 Have I not seen thee, Wild Rose, in my dreams ? 
 Like a pure spirit — beauteous as the skies. 
 When the clear blue is brightest, and the streams 
 Dance down the hills, reflecting the rich dyes 
 Of morning clouds, and cistus woodbine-twined — 
 Didst thou not wake me from a dream of death ? 
 Yea, and thy voice was sweeter than the ■^^■ind 
 When it inhales the love-sick Violet's breath, 
 Bending it down with kisses, where the bee 
 Hums over golden gorse, and sunny broom. 
 Soul of the Rose ! what said'st thou then to me ? 
 " We meet," thou said'st, " though severed by the tomb : 
 Lo, brother, this is heav'n ! and thus the just shall 
 
 bloom.'' 
 
 E. Elliott. 
 
 %- 
 
Floral Poetry. 49 
 
 FLOWERS FOR THE HEART. 
 
 FLOWERS ! winter flowers !— the child is dead, 
 The mother cannot speak; 
 Oh, softly couch his little head, 
 Or Mary's heart will break ! 
 
 Amid those curls of flaxen hair 
 
 This pale pink riband twine. 
 And on the little bosom there 
 
 Place this wan lock of mine. 
 
 How like a form in cold white stone. 
 
 The coffined infant lies ! 
 Look, mother, on thy little one, 
 
 And tears will fill thine eyes. 
 
 She cannot weep, more faint she grows. 
 
 More deadly pale and still ; 
 Flowers ! oh, a flower ! a "Winter Rose, 
 
 That tiny hand to fill. 
 
 Go, search the fields ! the lichen wet 
 
 Bends o'er th' unfailing well; 
 Beneath the furrow lingers yet 
 
 The scarlet Pimpernel. 
 
 Peeps not a Snowdrop in the bower. 
 
 Where never froze the spring? 
 A Daisy ? ah ! bring childhood's flower ! 
 
 The half-blown Daisy bring ! 
 
 Yes, lay the Daisy's little head 
 
 Beside the little cheek ; 
 
 Oh, haste ! the last of five is dead ! 
 
 The childless cannot speak ! 
 
 E. Elliott. 
 
 fc ^ 
 
50 Floj'al Poetry. 
 
 THE DYING GIRL AND FLOWERS. 
 
 Y3EAR them not from grassy dells, 
 ^-^ Where wild bees have honey-cells ; 
 Not from where sweet water-sounds 
 Thrill the greenwood to its bounds ; 
 Not to waste their scented breath 
 On the silent room of Death ! 
 
 Kindred to the breeze they are, 
 And the glow-worm's emerald star ; 
 And the bird, whose song is free, 
 And the many-whispering tree : 
 Oh ! too deep a love, and fain, 
 They would win to earth again. 
 
 Spread them not before the eyes 
 
 Closing fast on summer skies ! 
 
 Woo thou not the spirit back 
 
 From its lone and viewless track, 
 
 With the bright things which have birth 
 
 Wide o'er all the coloured earth ! 
 
 With the Violet's breath would rise 
 Thoughts too sad for her who dies ; 
 From the Lily's pearl-cup shed. 
 Dreams too sweet would haunt her bed ; 
 Dreams of youth — of spring-time eves — 
 Music — beauty — all she leaves ! 
 
 i^ ■■ 4 
 
Floral Poetry. 51 
 
 Hush ! 'tis thou that dreaming art, 
 Ca,lmer is her gentle heart. 
 Yes ! o'er fountain, vale, and grove, 
 Leaf and flower, hath gushed her love ; 
 But that passion, deep and true, 
 Knows not of a last adieu. 
 
 Types of lovelier forms than. these. 
 In their fragile mould she sees ; 
 Shadows' of yet richer things. 
 Born beside immortal springs, 
 Into fuller glory wrought. 
 Kindled by surpassing thought. 
 
 Therefore in the Lily's leaf 
 She can read no word of grief; 
 O'er the Woodbine she can dwell. 
 Murmuring not — Farewell ! farewell ! 
 And her dim, yet speaking eye. 
 Greets the Violet solemnly. 
 
 Therefore, once, and yet again, 
 Strew them o'er her bed of pain ; 
 From her chamber take the gloom. 
 With a light and flush of bloom : 
 So should one depart, who goes 
 Where no death can touch the Rose. 
 
 Anonvmous. 
 
 ^- 
 
52 Floral Poetry. 
 
 FLOWERS: 
 
 SENT THE WRITER DURING ILLNESS. 
 
 Y LOVED you ever, gentle flowers, 
 
 ^ And made you playmates of my youth ; 
 
 The while your spirit stole 
 
 In secret to my soul, 
 To shed a softness through my ripening powers, 
 And lead the thoughtful mind to deepest truth. 
 
 And now, when weariness and pain 
 Had cast you almost from my breast, 
 
 With each a smiling face, 
 
 In all your simple grace. 
 You come once more to take me back again 
 From pain to ease, from weariness to rest. 
 
 Kind visitants ! through my sick-room 
 You seem to breathe an air of health. 
 
 And with you looks of joy 
 
 To wake again the boy, 
 And to the pallid cheek restore its bloom, 
 And o'er the desert mind pour boundless wealth. 
 
 And whence ye came, by brimming stream, 
 'Neath rustling leaves, with birds within. 
 
 Again I. musing tread — 
 
 Forgot my restless bed. 
 And long sick hours — Too short the blessed dream ! 
 I woke to pain ! — to hear the city's din ! 
 
 ■1^ 
 
Floral Poetry. S3 
 
 But time nor pain shall ever steal 
 Or youth or beauty from my mind ; 
 
 And blessings on ye, flowers, 
 
 Though few with me your hours, 
 The youth and beauty and the heart to feel, 
 In her who sent you, ye will leave behind ! 
 
 Richard H. Dana. 
 
 SPRING FLOWERS. 
 
 WELCOME, little Buttercups; 
 Oh, the pretty flowers ! 
 Coming ere the spring-time. 
 
 To tell of sunny hours. 
 While the trees are leafless. 
 While the fields are bare, 
 Golden, glossy Buttercups 
 Spring up here and there. 
 
 Welcome, little Buttercups, 
 
 Welcome, Daisies white, 
 Ye are in my spirit, 
 
 Visioned a delight. 
 Coming ere the spring-time, 
 
 Of sunny hours to tell. 
 Speaking to our hearts of Him 
 
 Who doeth all things well. 
 
 nes StiicklamL 
 
 dSr>- 
 
^' 
 
 T5 
 
 54 Floral Poetry. 
 
 DREAMS AND FLOWERS WILL FADE. 
 
 k^- 
 
 Y KNOW where the winged visions dwell 
 ^ That around the night-bed play ; 
 I know each herb and tioweret's bell, 
 AVhere they hide their wings by day. 
 
 Then hasten \ye, maid, 
 
 To twine our braid, 
 To-morrow the dreams and flowers • will fade. 
 
 The image of love, that nightly flies 
 
 To visit the bashful maid. 
 Steals from the Jasmine-flower, that sighs 
 
 Its soul, like her, in the shade. 
 The dream of a future, happier hour 
 
 That alights on misery's brow. 
 Springs out of the silvery Almond-flower, 
 
 That blooms on a leafless bough. 
 Then hasten we, maid. 
 To twine our braid, 
 To-morrow the dreams and flowers will fade. 
 
 The visions, that oft to worldly eyes 
 
 The ghtter of mines unfold. 
 Inhabit the mountain-herb, that dyes 
 
 The tooth of the fawn like gold. 
 The phantom shapes — oh, touch not them — 
 
 That appal the murderer's sight. 
 Lurk in the fleshly mandrake's stem. 
 
 That shrieks, when torn at night ! 
 Then hasten we, maid. 
 To twine our braid. 
 To-morrow the dreams and flowers will fade. 
 
 -^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 55 
 
 The dream of the injured, patient mind, 
 
 That smiles at the wrongs of men. 
 Is found in the bruised and wounded rind 
 Of the Cinnamon, sweetest then ! 
 Then hasten we, maid. 
 To twine our braid, 
 To-morrow the dreams and flowers will fade. 
 
 Moore. 
 
 THE LOVE OF FLOWERS. 
 
 FLOWERS ! flowers ! bright, merry-faced flowers ; 
 I bless ye in joyous or saddened hours : 
 I love ye dearly. 
 Ye look so cheerly. 
 In Summer, Autumn, Winter or Sfjring, 
 A flower is to me the loveliest thing 
 That hath its birth 
 On this chequered earth : — 
 Oh ! who will not chorus the lay I sing ! 
 
 Flowers! flowers! who loveth them not? 
 Who hath his childhood's sports forgot? 
 
 When Daisies white, 
 
 And King-cups bright, 
 And Snowdrops, Cowslips, and Daffodils, 
 Lured us to meadows and woods and rills ; 
 
 And we wandered on. 
 
 Till a wreath was won 
 Of the heather-bells crowning the far-off" hills. 
 
 L. A. Tramlev. 
 
 fe^ 
 
 ■m 
 
^ ^ 
 
 56 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE GARLAND. 
 
 /TXHE pride of every grove I chose, 
 
 ^ The Violet sweet, the Lily fair. 
 The dappled Pink and blushing Rose, 
 To deck my charming Chloe's hair. 
 
 At morn the nymph vouchsafed to place 
 Upon her brow the various wreath ; 
 
 The flowers less blooming than her face, 
 The scent less fragrant than her breath. 
 
 The flowers she wore along the day, 
 And every nymph and shepherd said. 
 
 That in her hair they looked more gay 
 Than glowing in their native bed. 
 
 Undressed at evening, when she found 
 Their odours lost, their colours past ; 
 
 She changed her look, and on the ground 
 Her garland and her eyes she cast. 
 
 That eye dropped sense distinct and clear. 
 As any Muse's tongue could speak, 
 
 When from its lid a pearly tear 
 
 Ran trickling down her beauteous cheek. 
 
 Dissembling what I knew too well, 
 My love, my life, said I, explain 
 
 This change of humour : pr'ythee tell : 
 That falling tear — what does it mean ? 
 
 fe ^ 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 57 
 
 She sighed : she smiled : and to the flowers 
 Pointing, the lovely moralist said — 
 
 See, friend, in some few fleeting hours, 
 See yonder, what a change is made. 
 
 Ah me ! the blooming pride of May, 
 And that of beauty, are but one : 
 
 At morn both flourish bright and gay ; 
 Both fade at evening, pale and gone. 
 
 At dawn poor Stella danced and sung, 
 The amorous youth around her bowed \ 
 
 At night her fatal knell was rung ; 
 I saw, and kissed her in her shroud. 
 
 Such as she is, who died to-day. 
 Such I, alas ! may be to-morrow ; 
 
 Go, Damon, bid the Muse display 
 The justice of thy Chloe's sorrow. 
 
 Prior, 
 
 SAINT VALENTINE AND SPRING FLOWERS. 
 
 SAINT VALENTINE kindles the Crocus, 
 Saint Valentine wakens the birds ; 
 I would that his power could wake us 
 In tender and musical words ! 
 
 So, fairest and sweetest, your pardon 
 (If no better welcome) I pray ! — 
 
 There's spring-time in grove and in garden ; 
 Perchance it may breathe in my lay. 
 
58 Floral Poetry. 
 
 I think and I dream (did you know it?) 
 Of somebody's eyes, her soft hair, 
 
 The neck bending whitely below it, 
 The dress that she chances to wear. 
 
 Each tone of her voice I remember. 
 Each turn of her head, of her arm ; 
 
 Methinks, had she faults out of number, 
 Being hers, they were certain to charm. 
 
 So friendly her face that I tremble, 
 On friendship so sweet having ruth ; 
 
 But why should I longer dissemble ? 
 Or will you not guess at the truth? 
 
 And that is, dear maiden, I love you ! 
 
 The sweetest, the brightest, the best ! 
 Happy the roof-tree above you, 
 
 The floor where your footstep is prest ! 
 
 May some new deliciousness meet you 
 On every new day of the Spring ; 
 
 Each flower, in its turn, bloom to greet you, 
 Lark, mavis, and nightingale sing. 
 
 May kind vernal powers in your bosom 
 Their tenderest influence shed ! 
 
 May I, when the Rose is in blossom, 
 Enweave you a crown, white and red. 
 
 fr ^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 59 
 
 THE WINTER NOSEGAY. 
 
 WHAT Nature, alas ! has denied 
 To the delicate growth of our isle, 
 Art has in a measure supplied, 
 
 And Winter is decked with a smile. 
 See, Mary, what beauties I bring 
 
 From the shelter of that sunny shed, 
 Where the flowers have the charms of the Spring, 
 Though abroad they are frozen and dead. 
 
 'Tis a bower of Arcadian sweets, 
 
 Where Flora is still in her prime, 
 A fortress to which she retreats 
 
 From the cruel assaults of the clime. 
 While earth wears a mantle of snow, 
 
 These pinks are as fresh and as gay 
 As the fairest and sweetest that blow 
 
 On the beautiful bosom of May. 
 
 See how they have safely survived 
 
 The powers of a sky so severe ; 
 Such Mary's true love, that has lived 
 
 Through many a turbulent year. 
 The charms of the late-blowing Rose 
 
 Seem graced with a livelier hue, 
 And the winter of sorrow best shows 
 
 The truth of a friend such as you. 
 
 Cowpcr. 
 
 fc : ^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 60 Floral Poetry. 
 
 FIELD FLOWERS OF SUMMER. 
 
 YE field flowers ! the gardens eclipse you, 'tis true, 
 Yet, wildlings of nature, I dote upon you, 
 For ye waft me to summers of old, 
 \Vhen the earth teemed around me with fairy delight, 
 And when Daisies and Buttercups gladdened my sight. 
 Like treasures of silver and gold. 
 
 I love thee for lulling me back into dreams 
 
 Of the blue Highland mountains and echoing streams, 
 
 And of birchen glades breathing their balm, 
 ^^'hile the deer was seen glancing in sunshine remote. 
 And the deep mellow crush of the wood-pigeon's note 
 
 ^lade music that sweetened the calm. 
 
 Not a pastoral song has a pleasanter tune 
 
 Than ye speak to my heart, little wildlings of June : 
 
 Of old ruinous castles ye tell, 
 Where I thought it delightful your beauties to find, 
 When the magic of nature first breathed on my mind. 
 
 And your blossoms were part of the spell. 
 
 E\cn now what affections the Violet awakes ! 
 ^\'hat loved little islands, twice seen in their lakes. 
 
 Can the wild AVater-lily restore ! 
 What landscapes I read in the Primrose's looks, 
 And what pictures of pebbled and minnowy brooks. 
 
 In the Vetches that tangled their shore ! 
 
 is. ^ 
 
 i 
 
 4-I' 
 
w ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 6i 
 
 Earth's cultureless buds, to my heart ye were dear, 
 Ere the fever of passion, or ague of fear, 
 
 Had scathed my existence's bloom ; 
 Once I welcome you more, in life's passionless stage, 
 With the visions of youth to revisit my age. 
 
 And I wish you to grow on my tomb. 
 
 Campbell. 
 
 SPRING FLOWERS. 
 
 r> OWING adorers of the gale, 
 *^ Ye Cowslips delicately pale. 
 
 Upraise your loaded stems, 
 Unfold your cups in splendour ; speak ! 
 Who decked you with that ruddy streak, 
 
 And gilt your golden gems ? 
 
 Violets, sweet tenants of the shade. 
 In purple's richest pride arrayed. 
 
 Your errand here fulfil ! 
 Go, bid the artist's simple stain 
 Your lustre imitate, in vain, 
 
 And match your Maker's skill. 
 
 Daisies, ye flowers of lowly birth,' 
 Embroid'rers of the carpet earth. 
 
 That stud the velvet sod; 
 Open to Spring's refreshing air. 
 In sweetest smiling bloom declare 
 
 Your Maker and my God. 
 
 John Clare. 
 fr 4 
 
^— ^ 
 
 62 Floral Poetrv. 
 
 LINES 
 
 SUGGESTED BY SOME LATE AUTUMN FLOWERS. 
 
 THESE few pale Autumn flowers, 
 How beautiful they are ! 
 Than all that went before, 
 Than all the Summer store. 
 How lovelier far ! 
 
 And why ? they are the last ! 
 
 The last ! the last ! the last ! 
 Oh ! by that little word 
 How many thoughts are stirred. 
 
 That whisper of the past. 
 
 Pale flowers ! pale perishing flowers ! 
 
 Ye're types of precious things ; 
 Types of those better moments 
 That flit, like Life's enjoyments, 
 
 On rapid, rapid wings. 
 
 Last hours with parting dear ones 
 (That time the fastest spends) ; 
 
 Last tears in silence shed ; 
 
 Last words half uttered ; 
 
 Last looks of dying friends. 
 
 Who but would fain compress 
 
 A life into a day — 
 The last day spent with one, 
 Who, ere to-morrow's sun. 
 
 Must leave us, and for aye ! 
 
 fe^ -^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 63 
 
 precious, precious moments ! 
 Pale flowers ! ye're types of those : 
 
 The saddest, sweetest, dearest ; 
 Because, like those, the nearest 
 To an eternal close. 
 
 Pale flowers ! pale perishing flowers ! 
 I woo your gentle breath : 
 
 1 leave the Summer Rose 
 For younger, blither brows ; 
 
 Tell me of change and death. 
 
 Anon. 
 
 WITHERING! WITHERING! 
 
 lOjITHERING— withering— all are withering ! 
 "H AH of hope's flowers that youth hath nursed; 
 Flowers of love too early blossoming ; 
 Buds of ambition, too frail to burst. 
 
 Faintly — faintly — -oh, how faintly I 
 
 I feel life's pulses ebb and flow ; 
 Yet sorrow, I know thou dealest daintily. 
 
 With one who should not wish to live moe. 
 
 Nay I why, young heart, thus timidly shrinking? 
 
 Why doth thy upward wing thus tire? 
 Why are thy pinions so droopingly sinking, 
 
 When they should only waft thee higher? 
 
 Upward — upward — let them be waving, 
 
 Lifting the soul toward her place of birth ; 
 
 There are guerdons there, more worthy thy having, 
 Far more than any these lures of the earth. 
 
 Hoffman. 
 
64 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE DEATH OF THE FLOWERS, 
 
 THE melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year, 
 Of wailing winds, and naked woods, and meadows brown and sere ; 
 Heaped in the hollows of the grove, the withered leaves lie dead ; 
 They rustle to the eddying gust, and to the rabbit's tread. 
 The robin and the wren are flown, and from the shrub the jay, 
 And from the wood-top calls the crow, through all the gloomy day. 
 
 Where are the flowers, the fair young flowers, that lately sprung and stood 
 
 In brighter light and softer airs, a beauteous sisterhood ? 
 
 Alas ! they all are in their graves — the gentle race . of flowers 
 
 Are lying in their lowly beds, with the fair and good of ours. 
 
 The rain is falling where they lie ; but the cold November rain 
 
 Calls not from out the gloomy earth, the lovely ones again. 
 
 The Wind-flower and the Violet, they perished long ago ; 
 
 And the Wild-rose and the Orchis died amid the Summer glow ; 
 
 But on the hill the Golden-rod, and the Aster in the wood. 
 
 And the yellow Sunflower by the brook, in Autumn beauty stood. 
 
 Till fell the frost from the clear cold heaven, as falls the plague on men, 
 
 And the brightness of their smile was gone from upland glade and glen. 
 
 And now, when comes the calm mid-day, as still such days will come, 
 
 To call the squirrel and the bee from out their wintry home ; 
 
 Where the sound of dropping nuts is heard, though all the leaves are still, 
 
 And twinkle in the smoky light the waters of the rill. 
 
 The south-wind searches for the flowers whose fragrance late he bore. 
 
 And sighs to find them in the wood, and by the stream, no more. 
 
 And then I think of one, who in her youthful beauty died ; 
 The fair meek blossom that grew up and faded by my side ; 
 In the cold moist earth we laid her, when the forest cast the leaf. 
 And we wept that one so lovely should have a life so brief; 
 Yet not unmeet it was, that one like that young friend of ours, 
 So gentle and so beautiful, should perish with the flowers. 
 
 Bryant. 
 
^' 
 
 -•^ 
 
 PART II.-POEMS ON SPECIAL FLOWERS. 
 
 ADONIS' COUCH. 
 
 N a silken couch of rosy pride, 
 ,- In midst of all, there lay a sleeping youth 
 Of fondest beauty; fonder in fair sooth 
 Than sighs could fathom, or contentment reach ; 
 And coverlids gold-tinted like the peach, 
 Or ripe October's faded Marigolds, 
 Fell sleek about him in a thousand folds — 
 Not hiding up an Apollonian curve 
 Of neck and shoulder, nor the tending swerve 
 Of knee from knee, nor ankles pointing light; 
 But rather giving them to the filled sight 
 Officiously. Sideway his face reposed 
 On one white arm, and tenderly unclosed. 
 By tend'rest pressure, a faint damask mouth, 
 To slumb'ry pout; just as the morning south 
 Disparts a dew-lipped rose. Above his head 
 Four Lily stalks did their wide honours wed 
 To make a coronet ; and round him grew 
 All tendrils green, of every bloom and hue, 
 
 C^ 
 
 ■^ 
 
66 Floral Poetry. 
 
 Together intertwined and trammelled fresh : 
 
 The Vine of glossy sprout ; the Ivy mesh, 
 
 Shading its Ethiop berries ; and Woodbine, 
 
 Of velvet leaves and bugle blooms divine ; 
 
 Convolvulus in streaked vases flush ; 
 
 The Creeper, mellowing for an autumn blush ; 
 
 And Virgin's-bower, trailing airily, 
 
 With others of the sisterhood. Hard by, 
 
 Stood serene Cupids watching silently. 
 
 One, kneeling to a lyre, touched the strings. 
 
 Muffling to death the pathos with his wings ; 
 
 And, ever and anon, uprose to look 
 
 At the youth's slumber ; while another took 
 
 A Willow bough, distilling odorous dew, 
 
 And shook it on his hair ; another flew 
 
 In through the woven roof, and fluttering wise. 
 
 Rained Violets upon his sleeping eyes. 
 
 THE AMARANTH. 
 
 GROWNS inwove with .Amaranth and gold. 
 Immortal Amaranth, a flower which once 
 In Paradise, fast by the Tree of Life, 
 Began to bloom ; but soon, for man's offence, 
 To Heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows 
 And flowers aloft, shading the Fount of Life, 
 And where the River of Bliss, through midst of Heaven. 
 Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream ; 
 With these, that never fade, the spirits ulect 
 Bind their resplendent locks. 
 
 Milhui. 
 
 V5U 
 
^' 
 
 Floral Poetry. 67 
 
 ALMOND-BLOSSOM. 
 
 BLOSSOM of the Almond-trees, 
 April's gift to April bees, 
 Birthday ornament of Spring, 
 Flora's fairest daughterling ; 
 Coming when no flow'rets dare. 
 Trust the cruel outer air ; 
 When the royal King-cup bold 
 Dares not don his coat of gold. 
 And the sturdy Blackthorn spray 
 Keeps his silver for the May; 
 Coming when no flow'rels would, 
 Save thy lowly sisterhood ; 
 Early Violets, blue and white, 
 Dying for their love of light. 
 Almond-blossoms, sent to teach us 
 That the Spring-days soon will reach us. 
 Lest, with longing over-tried, 
 We die as the Violets died. 
 Blossom, crowding all the tree 
 With thy crimson 'broidery. 
 Long before a leaf of green 
 On the bravest bough is seen ; 
 Ah ! when winter winds are swinging 
 All thy red-bells into ringing. 
 With a bee in every bell, 
 Almond-blossom, we greet thee well. 
 
 Edwin Arnold. 
 
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68 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE ALMOND-TREE. 
 
 YrlLEETING and falling, 
 * Where is the bloom 
 Of yon fair Almond-tree ? 
 It is sunk in the tomb. 
 
 Its tomb wheresoever 
 
 The wind may have borne 
 
 The leaves and the blossoms 
 Its roughness has torn. 
 
 Some there are floating 
 On yon fountain's breast, 
 
 Some line the moss 
 
 Of the nightingale's nest. 
 
 Some are just strewn 
 
 O'er the green grass below, 
 And there they lie stainless 
 
 As Winter's first snow. 
 
 Yesterday, on the boughs 
 They hung scented and fair ; 
 
 To-day they are scattered 
 
 The breeze best knows where. 
 
 To-morrow those leaves 
 
 Will be scentless and dead, 
 
 For the kind to lament, 
 And the careless to tread. 
 
 fc- ^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 69 
 
 And is it not thus 
 
 With each hope of the heart ? 
 With all its best feelings, 
 
 Thus will they depart. 
 
 They'll go forth to the world 
 
 On the wings of the air, 
 Rejoicing and hoping; 
 
 But what will be there? 
 
 False lights to deceive, 
 
 False friends to delude, 
 Till the heart in its sorrow's 
 
 Left only to brood. 
 
 Over feelings crushed, chilled, 
 
 Sweet hopes ever flown ; 
 Like that tree when its green leaves 
 
 And blossoms are gone. 
 
 L. E. Landoti. 
 
 ^ -___„ ^ 
 
pr- 
 
 70 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 "BUTTERCUPS AND DAISIES; 
 
 NEVER see a young hand hold 
 The starry bunch of white and gold, 
 But something warm and fresh will start 
 About the region of my heart. 
 "Si^Jt My smile expires into a sigh ; 
 I feel a struggling in the t'ye, 
 'Twixt humid drop and sparkling ray, 
 Till rolling tears ha\-e won their way ; 
 For soul and brain ^^■ill travel back 
 
 Through Memory's chequered mazes, 
 To days when I but trod Life's track 
 For "Buttercups and Daisies.'' 
 
 Tell me, ye men of wisdom rare. 
 Of sober speech and silver hair ; 
 \Vho carry counsel, wise and sage, 
 \\'ith all the gravity of age : 
 Oh ! say, do ye not like to hear 
 The accents ringing in your ear, 
 When sportive urchins laugh and shout. 
 Tossing those precious flowers about, 
 Springing with bold and gleesome bound. 
 
 Proclaiming joy that crazes; 
 And chorussing the magic sound 
 
 Of "Buttercups and Daisies"? 
 
 fc- 
 
 ^ 
 
^- ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 71 
 
 Are there, I ask, beneath the sky 
 Blossoms that knit so strong a tie 
 With childhood's love? Can any please 
 Or light the infant eye like these? 
 No, no ; there's not a bud on earth 
 Of richest tint, or warmest birth, 
 Can ever fling such zeal and zest. 
 Into the tiny hand and breast. 
 Who does not recollect the hours 
 
 When burning words and praises 
 Were lavished on those shining flowers, 
 
 "Buttercups and Daisies"? 
 
 There seems a bright and fairy spell 
 About their very names to dwell ; 
 And though old Time has marked my brow 
 With care and thought, I love them now. 
 Smile, if ye will, but some heart-strings 
 Are closest linked to simplest things ; 
 And these wild flowers will hold mine fast. 
 Till love, and life, and all be past ; 
 And then the only wish I have 
 
 Is, that the one who raises 
 The turf-sod o'er me plant my grave 
 
 With "Buttercups and Daisies.'' 
 
 Eliza Cook. 
 
 ^ -~— — ^ ^ 
 
^ If 
 
 72 Floral Poetry. I 
 
 TO THE BRAMBLE FLOWER. 
 
 jnf^HY fruit full well the schoolboy knows, 
 
 ^ Wild Bramble of the brake ! 
 So, put thou forth thy small white Rose ; 
 I love it for his sake. 
 
 Though Woodbines flaunt and Roses glow 
 
 O'er all the fragrant bowers, 
 Thou need'st not be ashamed to show 
 
 Thy satin-threaded flowers ; 
 
 For dull the eye, the heart is dull 
 
 That cannot feel how fair, 
 Amid all beauty, beautiful 
 
 Thy tender blossoms are ! 
 
 How delicate thy gauzy frill ! 
 
 How rich thy branchy stem ! 
 How soft thy voice when woods are still, 
 
 And thou sing'st hymns to them ! 
 
 While silent showers are falling slow, 
 
 And, 'mid the general hush, 
 A sweet air lifts the little bough, 
 
 Lone whispering through the bush ! 
 
 The Primrose to the grave is gone ; 
 
 The Hawthorn flower is dead ; 
 The Violet by the mossed grey stone 
 
 Hath laid her weary head ; 
 
 ■k , 
 
 ^ Hit 
 
^' ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. y. 
 
 But thou, Wild Bramble ! back dost bring, 
 
 In all their beauteous power. 
 The fresh green days of life's fair spring, 
 
 And boyhood's blossomy hour. 
 
 Scorned Bramble of the brake ! once more 
 
 Thou bidd'st me be a boy. 
 To gad with thee the woodlands o'er. 
 
 In freedom and in joy. 
 
 E. Elliott. 
 
 BLUE-BELLS IN THE SHADE. 
 
 THE choicest buds in Flora's train, let other fingers twine; 
 Let others snatch the damask Rose, or wreathe the Eglantine ; 
 I'd leave the sunshine and parterre, and seek the woodland glade. 
 To stretch me on the fragrant bed of Blue-bells in the shade. 
 
 Let others cull the Daffodil, the Lily soft and fair ; 
 And deem the Tulip's gaudy cup most beautiful and rare ; 
 But give to me, oh, give to me, the coronal that's made 
 Of ruby Orchis mingled with the Blue-bells from the shade ! 
 
 The Sunflower and the Peony, the Poppy bright and gay. 
 Have no alluring charms for me ; I'd fling them all away : 
 Exotic bloom may fill the vase, or grace the high-born maid ; 
 But sweeter far to me, than all, are Blue -bells in the shade. 
 
 Eliza Cook. 
 
 U- 
 
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 74 
 
 -^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO THE SMALL CELANDINE. 
 
 ANSIES, Lilies, King-cups, Daisies, 
 Let them live upon their praises ; 
 Long as there's a sun that sets, 
 
 Primroses will have their glory ; 
 Long as there are Violets, 
 
 They will have a place in story ; 
 There's a flower that shall be mine, 
 'Tis the little Celandine. 
 
 Ere a leaf is on the bush, 
 In the time before the thrush 
 Has a thought about her nest, 
 
 Thou wilt come with half a call, 
 Spreading out thy glossy breast 
 
 Like a careless prodigal ; 
 Telling tales about the sun, 
 When we've little warmth, or none. 
 
 Comfort have thou of thy merit. 
 Kindly unassuming spirit ! 
 Careless of thy neighbourhood. 
 
 Thou dost show thy pleasant face 
 On the moor, and in the wood. 
 
 In the lane — there's not a place, 
 Howsoever mean it be, 
 But 'tis good enough for thee. 
 
 Ill befall the yellow flowers. 
 Children of the flaring hours ! 
 Buttercups that will be seen, 
 Whether we will see or no ; 
 
 U^- 
 
 -^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 75 
 
 Others, too, of lofty mien, 
 
 They have done as worldlings do, 
 Taken praise that should be thine. 
 Little, humble Celandine ! 
 
 Prophet of delight and mirth, 
 111 requited upon earth; 
 Herald of a mighty band, 
 
 Of a joyous train ensuing, 
 Serving at my heart's command. 
 
 Tasks that are no tasks renewing ; 
 I will sing, as doth behove. 
 Hymns in praise of what I love ! 
 
 Wordsworth. 
 
 TO THE CROCUS. 
 
 LOWLY, sprightly little flower ! 
 f Herald of a brighter bloom, 
 Bursting in a sunny hour 
 From thy winter 'tomb. 
 
 Hues you bring, bright, gay, and tender, 
 
 As if never to decay ; 
 Fleeting in their varied splendour — 
 
 Soon, alas ! it fades away. 
 
 Thus the hopes I long had cherished. 
 Thus the friends I long had known, 
 
 One by one, like you have perished. 
 Blighted I must fade alone. 
 
 Mary Patterson. 
 
pr -^ 
 
 76 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE CLOSED CONVOLVULUS. 
 
 AN hour ago, and sunny beams 
 ■ Were glancing o'er each airy bell ; 
 And thou wert drinking in those gleams, 
 Like beauty listening love's farewell. 
 
 And now \yith folded drooping leaves. 
 Thou seemest for that light to mourn, 
 
 Like unto one who fondly grieves 
 
 The hours that stay some friend's return. 
 
 We cannot trace the hidden power 
 Which folds thine azure petals up, 
 
 ^Vhen evening shadows dimly lower, 
 And dewdrops gem each flow'ret's cup. 
 
 iMethinks I should not wish to be 
 Like thee, a votary of the sun — 
 
 To bask beneath his beams, yet flee 
 ^Vhene'er his brilliant race is run. 
 
 Oh ! dearer far the silent night. 
 And lovelier far the star-lit sky. 
 
 Than gaudy day with sunbeams bright, 
 And loud with nature's minstrelsy. 
 
 The night-bird's song is not for thee, 
 The beautiful, the silver moon. 
 
 The holy calm o'er flowers and tree, 
 The stfllness — nature's dearest boon. 
 
 <;> 
 
 ^ -^ 
 
pr- ^ 
 
 Floral Poetjy. 77 
 
 Thou art a reveller of day, 
 
 A fair, rejoicing child of light; 
 
 Glad while the sunbeams o'er thee play, 
 But drooping in the quiet night. 
 
 Like unto those who freely spend 
 Their kindness in our happier hours ; 
 
 But should affliction want a friend, 
 They prove the sun's adoring flowers. 
 
 Anon. 
 
 THE COWSLIP'S STORY. 
 
 /Y^HE Cowslip sweet was a milkmaid once, 
 
 ^ A milking maiden fair to see, 
 But the lover she worshipped was naught but a dunce, 
 And she grew yellow with jealousy. 
 
 For he followed a lass with bold black e'en, 
 
 And she was left to pine and cry, 
 And her poor heart bled ; till in gown of sheen, 
 
 She laid herself down on a bank to die. 
 
 They buried her there, and out of her grave 
 
 There grew a plant with soft green leaves. 
 And a pale fair bud, that pity would crave, 
 
 Sprinkled with heart-drops, ever it grieves. 
 
 Now, maidens all, be wary and wise. 
 
 Choose not a love who will leave you to pine ; 
 But whoso courts you in truthful guise. 
 Test him, and take him for Valentine. 
 
 B. Montgomerk Ranking. 
 ^ ^ 
 
%' -^ 
 
 78 Floral Poetry. 
 
 COWSLIPS. 
 
 /\H ! fragrant dwellers of the lea, 
 ^^ ^^'hen first the wild wood rings 
 With each sound of vernal minstrelsy, 
 AVhen fresh the green grass springs ! 
 
 A\'hat can the blessed Spring restore, 
 More gladd'ning than your charms ? 
 
 Bringing the memory once more 
 Of lovely fields and farms ! 
 
 Of thickets, breezes, birds, and flowers ; 
 
 Of life's unfolding prime ; 
 Of thoughts as cloudless as the hours ; 
 
 Of souls without a crime. 
 
 Oh ! blessed, blessed do ye seem, 
 
 For even now, I turned, 
 A\'ith soul athirst for wood and stream. 
 
 From streets that glared and burned. 
 
 From the hot town, where mortal care 
 His crowded fold doth pen ; 
 
 AVhere stagnates the polluted air 
 In many a sultry den. 
 
 And are ye here ? and are ye here ? 
 
 Drinking the dew-like wine, 
 'Midst living gales and waters clear. 
 
 And heaven's unstinted shine. 
 
 c.-J 
 
 ^ 
 
^ ■ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 79 
 
 I care not that your little life 
 
 Will quickly have run through, 
 And the sward with summer children rife 
 
 Keep not a trace of you. 
 
 For again, again, on dewy plain, 
 
 I trust to see you rise. 
 When Spring renews the wild wood strain, 
 
 And bluer gleam the skies. 
 
 Again, again, when many springs 
 
 Upon my grave shall shine. 
 Here shall you speak of vanished things, 
 
 To living hearts of mine. 
 
 Mary Howitt. 
 
 TO A CROCUS, 
 
 GROWING UP AND BLOSSOMING BENEATH A WALL-FLOWER. 
 
 WELCOME, wild harbinger of Spring ! 
 To this small nook of earth; 
 Feeling and fancy fondly cling 
 
 Round thoughts which owe their birth 
 To thee, and to the humble spot 
 Where chance has fixed thy lowly lot. 
 
 To thee — for thy rich golden bloom, 
 Like heaven's fair bow on high, 
 
 Portends, amid surrounding gloom. 
 That brighter hours draw nigh, 
 
 When blossoms of more varied dyes 
 
 Shall ope their tints to warmer skies. 
 
80 Floral Poetry. 
 
 Yet not the Lily, nor the Rose, 
 
 Though fairer far they be, 
 Can more delightful thoughts disclose 
 
 Than I derive from thee : 
 The eye their beauty may prefer ; 
 The hfeart is thy interpreter ! 
 
 Methinks in thy fair flower is seen, 
 
 By those whose fancies roam. 
 An emblem of that leaf of green 
 
 The faithful dove brought home, 
 AMicn o'er the world of waters dark 
 ^\'ere driven the inmates of the ark. 
 
 That leaf betokened freedom nigh 
 
 To mournful captives there ; 
 Thy flower foretells a sunnier sky. 
 
 And chides the dark despair 
 By \Vinter's chilling influence flung 
 O'er spirits sunk, and nerves unstrung. 
 
 And sweetly has kind Nature's hand 
 
 Assigned thy dwelling-place 
 Beneath a flower whose blooms expand. 
 
 With fond congenial grace, 
 On many a desolated pile, 
 Eright'ning decay with Beauty's smile. 
 
 Thine is the flower of Hope, whose hue 
 
 Is bright with coming joy ; 
 The Wall-flower's that of faith, too true 
 
 For ruin to destroy ; 
 And where, oh ! where should Hope upspring, 
 But under Faith's protecting wing. 
 
 Bernard Barton. 
 
 cfe--- 
 
 ^ 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 A CYPRESS LEAF: 
 
 FOR THE GRAVE OF A DEAR ONE. 
 
 THE feelings I have felt have died away, 
 The love that was my lamp death's dews have quenched ; 
 The faith which, through life's ills, ne'er knew decay, 
 
 Hath in the chill showers of the grave been drenched ; 
 The hopes that buoyed my spirit 'mid the spray 
 
 Of life's wild ocean, one by one are wrenched — 
 Cruelly wrenched away, — and I am now 
 A solitary leaf on a rent bough ! 
 
 The link that knit me to mankind is snapped — 
 
 Briefly it bound me to a callous world ; 
 The fortress of my comfort hath been sapped — 
 
 Where are Joy's banners, lightsomely unfurled. 
 That graced the battlements? In vapour wrapped, 
 
 In the dense smoke of stifled breath upcurled, 
 They drop in tatters — forming now a pall 
 For the sad mummy-heart that drips with gall. 
 
 I have not now of broken troth to wail, 
 
 I have not now to speak of friendship broken ; 
 
 Of Death and Death's wild triumphs is my tale — 
 Of friendship faithful, and of love's last token, 
 
 A ring ! — whose holy motto ne'er shall fail 
 
 To rouse such sorrow as may ne'er be spoken : 
 
 That pictured Dove and Branch — those words, "La Faix /" 
 
 (O direful mockery!) wear my heart away!* 
 
 * A melancholy anecdote is attached to these lines ; the motto, " La Paix," was 
 engraved on the bequeathed gift of a beloved friend, who, in the bloom of youth, 
 fell a victim to a sudden and violent death in India. 
 
82 Floral Poeliy. 
 
 " Peace V — Peace! alas, there is no peace for me. 
 
 It rests with thee, belov'd one, in the grave ! 
 Yet, when I search the cells of Memory, 
 
 Where silently the subterranean wave 
 < )f buried hope glides on, a thought of thee — 
 
 Like sunshine on the hermit's darkened cave — 
 Steals gently o'er my spirit, whispering sweet 
 Of realms beyond the tomb, where we shall meet ! 
 
 ( )ar love — how did it spring ? In sooth it grew, 
 
 Even as some rare exotic in a clime 
 Unfriendly to its growth : yet rich in hue. 
 
 Voluptuous in fragrance, as if Time 
 Had been to it all sunlight and soft dew, — 
 
 As if upon its freshness the cold rime 
 f)f death should never fall! How came it, then? 
 Even as the manna fell 'midst famished men. 
 
 To be snatched up in transport ! And we fed 
 Upon affection's banquet, that ne'er palled 
 
 Upon the spirit's palate ! Friendship shed 
 A light around our bosoms, which recalled 
 
 The memory of that bard whose soul was wed — 
 ^Vlth love surpassing woman's love, ungalled 
 
 By selfish doubts — to him, the monarch's son, 
 
 Brave Jonathan ! Like theirs, our souls were one. 
 
 Oh ! long we loved in silence ! Neither spake 
 Of that which worked the thoughtful mine within ; 
 
 Thou didst not guess that, sleeping or awake, 
 My thoughts were full of thee till thought grew sin : 
 
 
 ►^ 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 83 
 
 For it is sin of earthly things to make 
 
 Our idols; and I never hoped to win 
 Thy coveted affection ; but for me, 
 Thy heart was also yearning silently! 
 
 I was the first to speak — and words there were, 
 
 Wild words that painted fond affection's course ; — 
 Oh ! what indeed will erring tongues not dare, 
 
 When conquering Feeling prompts ! Like winds that force 
 From wind-harps mystic sounds, the lips declare 
 
 Thoughts that are often followed by remorse ; 
 For passion hath a potency that breaks 
 
 Each puny bulwark callous Reason makes ! 
 
 But ours was Friendship's purest worship — pure, 
 Altho' that worship bowed at earthly shrines ; 
 
 Alas ! that hearts on altars insecure 
 
 Should sacrifice their all of bliss ! There twines 
 
 O'er mankind's sweetest hopes corruption sure, 
 
 To blast their beauty e'en whilst most it shines ! — 
 
 'Tis but to teach us there are worlds above. 
 
 Where Hope fruition finds in endless Love ! 
 
 Anon. 
 
 k^- % 
 
cp57 fi'^ 
 
 84 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE CYPRESS WREATH. 
 
 r\ LADY, twine no wreath for me, 
 " Or twine it of the Cypress tree ! 
 Too lively grow the Lilies light, 
 The varnished Holly's all too bright. 
 The May-flower and the Eglantine 
 May shade a brow less sad than mine ; 
 But, Lady, weave no wreath for me, 
 Or weave it of the Cypress tree ! 
 
 Let dimpled Mirth his temples twine 
 ^^'ith tendrils of the laughing Vine ; 
 The manly Oak, the pensive Yew, 
 To patriot and to sage be due ; 
 The Myrtle bough bids lovers live. 
 But that Matilda will not give ; 
 Then, Lady, twine no wreath for mc, 
 Or twine it of the Cypress tree I 
 
 Let merry England proudly rear 
 
 Her blended Roses, bought so dear ; 
 
 Let Albin bind her bonnet blue 
 
 With Heath and Harebell dipped in dew ; 
 
 On favoured Erin's crest be seen 
 
 The flower she loves of emerald green — 
 
 But, Lady, twine no wreath for me. 
 
 Or twine it of the Cypress tree. 
 
 fe^ ^ 
 
Floral Poeti^y. 85 
 
 fe.- 
 
 Strike the wild harp, while maids prepare 
 The Ivy meet for minstrel's hair ; 
 And, while his crown of Laurel-leaves, 
 With bloody hand the victor weaves. 
 Let the loud trump his triumph tell ; 
 But, when you hear the passing-bell, 
 Then, Lady, twine a wreath for me. 
 And twine it of the Cypress tree. 
 
 Yes ! twine for me the Cypress bough ; 
 But, O Matilda, twine not now ! 
 Stay till a few brief months are past, 
 And I have looked and loved my last ! 
 When villagers my shroud bestrew 
 With Tansies, Rosemary, and Rue, — 
 Then, Lady, weave a wreath for me. 
 And weave it of the Cypress tree. 
 
 Sir Walter Scott. 
 
 
^ —^ 
 
 86 Floral Poetry. 
 
 DAFFODILS. 
 
 ^\'ANDERED lonely as a cloud 
 
 That floats on high o'er vales and hills, 
 When all at once I saw a crowd, 
 exg^jSjtj ii'd^* A host, of golden Daffodils ; 
 ^g)^\. Beside the lake, beneath the trees, 
 
 Fluttering and dancing m the breeze. 
 
 Continuous as the stars that shine 
 
 And twinkle in the milky way, 
 They stretched in never-ending line 
 
 Along the margin of a bay : 
 Ten thousand saw I at a glance. 
 Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. 
 
 The waves beside them danced; but they 
 Outdid the sparkling waves in glee : 
 
 A poet could not but be gay. 
 In such a jocund company : 
 
 I gazed — and gazed — but little thought 
 
 What weafth the show to me had brought : 
 
 For oft when on my couch I lie. 
 
 In vacant or in pensive mood. 
 They flash upon that inward eye 
 
 Which is the bliss of solitude ; 
 And then my heart with pleasure fills. 
 And dances with the Daffodils. 
 
 Words^vorth. 
 
 fe^' 
 
 -% 
 
^- ^ 
 
 F/oral Poetry 87 
 
 THE DAISY 
 
 J'YXHERE is a flower, a little flower, 
 ^ With silver crest and golden eye, 
 That welcomes every changing hour. 
 And weathers every sky. 
 
 The prouder beauties of the field 
 In gay but quick succession shine ; 
 
 Race after race their honours yield. 
 They flourish and decline. 
 
 But this small flower to nature dear, 
 While moon and stars their courses run. 
 
 Wreathes the whole circle of the year, 
 Companion of the sun. 
 
 It smiles upon the lap of May, 
 
 To sultry August spreads its charms. 
 
 Lights pale October on its way. 
 And twines December's arms. 
 
 The purple Heath, and golden Broom, 
 On moory mountains catch the gale ; 
 
 O'er lawns the Lily sheds perfuine. 
 The Violet in the vale ; 
 
 But this bold floweret climbs the hill. 
 Hides in the forest, haunts the glen. 
 
 Stays on the margin of the rill, 
 Peeps round the fox's den. 
 
 fr ^ 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 -^ 
 
 Within the garden's cultured round 
 It shares the sweet Carnation's bed ; 
 
 And blooms in consecrated ground 
 In honour of the dead. 
 
 The lambkin crops its crimson gem ; 
 
 The wild-bee murmurs on its breast ; 
 The blue-fly bends its pensile stem, 
 
 Light o'er the skylark's nest. 
 
 'Tis Flora's page ; — in every place, 
 In every season fresh and fair, 
 
 It opens with perennial grace. 
 And blossoms everywhere. 
 
 On waste and woodland, rock and plain. 
 Its humble buds unheeded rise ; 
 
 The Rose has but a summer reign, 
 The Daisy never dies. 
 
 Alont^omery, 
 
 THE DAISY 
 
 /YXHESE flow'rds white and red, 
 
 A Such that men callen Daisies in our town ; 
 To them have I so great affection, 
 As I said erst, when comen is the May, 
 That in my bed there daweth me no day, 
 That I n'am up and walking in the mead 
 To see this flow'r against the sunn<f spread. 
 When it upriseth early by the morrow ; 
 That blissful sight softeneth all my sorrow ; 
 So glad am I when that I have presence 
 Of it, to doen it all rcversfncc. 
 
 Chaucer. 
 
 ^^ 
 
f- 
 
 ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 89 
 
 TO A MOUNTAIN DAISY, 
 
 ON TURNING ONE DOWN WITH THE PLOUGH. 
 
 WEE, modest, crimson-tipped flower, 
 Thou'st met me in an evil hour ; 
 For I maun crush among the stour 
 
 Thy slender stem ; 
 
 To spare thee now is past my power, 
 
 Thou bonnie gem. 
 
 Alas ! it's no thy neebour sweet. 
 The bonnie lark, companion meet, 
 Bending thee 'mang the dewy weet, 
 
 Wi' speckled breast. 
 When upward springing, blythe to greet 
 
 The purpling east. 
 
 Cauld blew the bitter biting north 
 Upon thy early, humble birth ; 
 Yet cheerfully thou glinted forth 
 
 Amid the storm. 
 Scarce reared above the parent earth 
 
 Thy tender form. 
 
 The flaunting flowers our gardens yield, 
 High sheltering woods and wa's maun shield ; 
 But thou, beneath the random bield 
 
 O' clod or stane. 
 Adorns the histie stibble-field, 
 
 Unseen, alane. 
 
 fc. ^ 
 
^ ►^ 
 
 90 Floral Poetry. 
 
 There, in thy scanty mantle dad, 
 Thy snawy bosom sunward spread, 
 Thou lifts thy unassuming head 
 
 In humble guise ; 
 But now the share uptears thy bed, 
 
 And low thou lies ! 
 
 Such is the fate of artless maid. 
 Sweet flow'ret of the rural shade ! 
 By love's simplicity betrayed. 
 
 And guileless trust, 
 Till she, like thee, all soiled, is laid 
 
 Low i' the dust. 
 
 Such is the fate of simple bard, 
 
 On life's rough ocean, luckless starred ! 
 
 Unskilful he to note the card 
 
 Of prudent lore. 
 Till billows rage, and gales blow hard. 
 
 And whelm him o'er ! 
 
 Such fate to suffering worth is given, 
 
 Who long with wants and woes has striven. 
 
 By human pride or cunning driven. 
 
 To misery's brink. 
 Till wrenched of every stay but Heaven, 
 
 He ruined sink ! 
 
 E'en thou who mourn'st the Daisy's fate, 
 That fate is thine — no distant date ; 
 
 ^_ 
 
^ — ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. gi 
 
 Stern Ruin's ploughshare drives elate, 
 
 Full on thy bloom, 
 
 Till crushed beneath the furrow's weight. 
 
 Shall be thy doom. 
 
 Burns. 
 
 TO DAFFODILS. 
 
 Y?tAIR Dafifodils, we weep to see 
 ^ You haste away so soon ; 
 As yet, the early-rising sun 
 
 Has not attained his noon : 
 Stay, stay, 
 
 Until the hastening day 
 Has run 
 
 But to the even-song ; 
 And having prayed together, we 
 
 Will go with you along ! 
 
 We have short time to stay as you ; 
 
 We have as short a Spring ; 
 As quick a growth to meet decay. 
 
 As you or any thing : 
 We die. 
 
 As your hours do ; and dry 
 Away 
 
 Like to the Summer's rain, 
 Or as the pearls of morning dew, 
 
 Ne'er to be found again. 
 
 Herrick. 
 
 m^- 
 
92 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE DAISY IN INDIA. 
 
 THRICE welcome, little English flower ! 
 Thy mother country's white and red, 
 In Rose or Lily, till this hour 
 
 Never to me such beauty spread : 
 Transplanted from thy island bed, 
 
 A treasure in a grain of earth. 
 Strange as a spirit from the dead 
 Thy embryo sprang to birth. 
 
 Thrice welcome, little Enghsh flower ! 
 
 Whose tribes beneath our native skies 
 Shut close their leaves while vapours lower ; 
 
 But when the sun's gay beams arise, 
 With unabashed but modest eyes, 
 
 Follow his motion to the west, 
 Nor cease to gaze till daylight dies, 
 
 Then fold themselves to rest. 
 
 Thrice welcome, little English flower ! 
 
 To this resplendent hemisphere, 
 Where Flora's giant offspring tower 
 
 In gorgeous liveries all the year ; 
 Thou, only thou, art little here. 
 
 Like worth unfriended and unknown, 
 Yet to my Tritish heart more dear 
 
 Than all the torrid zone. 
 
 
 -^ 
 
^ ^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poeiiy. 93 
 
 Thrice welcome, little English flower ! 
 
 Of early scenes beloved by me, 
 While happy in my father's bower, 
 
 Thou shalt the blithe memorial be ; 
 The fairy sports of infancy, 
 
 Youth's golden age, and manhood's prime. 
 Home, country, kindred, friends — with thee. 
 
 Are mine in this far clime. 
 
 Thrice welcome, little English flower ! 
 
 I'll rear thee with a trembling hand ; 
 O for the April sun and shower. 
 
 The sweet May-dews of that fair land. 
 Where Daisies, thick as star-light, stand 
 
 In every walk! — that here might shoot 
 Thy scions, and thy buds expand, 
 
 A hundred from one root ! 
 
 Thrice welcome, little English flower ! 
 
 To me the pledge of hope unseen : 
 When sorrow would my soul o'erpower 
 
 For joys that were, or might have been, 
 I'll call to mind, how — fresh and green — 
 
 I saw thee waking from the dust ; 
 Then turn to heaven, with brow serene. 
 
 And place in God my trust. 
 
 Moiltnv/wrv. 
 
 SI 
 
 ^- 
 
94 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO THE DAISY 
 
 Y N youth from rock to rock I went, 
 K From hill to hill in discontent 
 Of pleasure high and turbulent, 
 
 Most pleased when most uneasy ; 
 But now my own delights I make, 
 My thirst at every rill can slake, 
 And gladly Nature's love partake. 
 
 Of thee, sweet Daisy ! 
 
 Thee Winter in the garland wears 
 That thinly decks his few grey hairs ; 
 Spring parts the clouds with softest airs, 
 
 That she may sun thee ; 
 Whole Summer-fields are thine by right ; 
 And Autumn, melancholy wight, 
 Doth in thy crimson head delight 
 
 When rains are on thee. 
 
 Be Violets in their secret mews 
 
 The flowers the wanton Zephyrs choose; 
 
 Proud be the Rose, with rains and dews 
 
 Her head impearling ; 
 Thou liv'st with less ambitious aim, 
 Yet hast not gone without thy fame ; 
 Thou art indeed, by many a claim, 
 
 The Poet's darling. 
 
 If to a rock from rains he fly, 
 Or, some bright day of April sky, 
 Imprisoned by hot sunshine, lie 
 Near the green holly. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 95 
 
 And wearily at length should fare; 
 He needs but look about, and there 
 Thou art ! — a friend at hand, to scare 
 His melancholy. 
 
 A hundred times, by rock or bower, 
 Ere thus I have lain couched an hour, 
 Have I derived from thy sweet power 
 
 Some apprehension ; 
 Some steady love ; some brief delight ; 
 Some memory that 'had taken flight ; 
 Some chime or fancy wrong or right, 
 
 Or stray invention. 
 
 If stately passions in me burn, 
 
 And one chance look to thee should turn, 
 
 I drink out of an humbler urn 
 
 A lowlier pleasure ; 
 The homely sympathy that heeds 
 The common life, our nature breeds ; 
 A wisdom fitted to the needs 
 
 Of hearts at leisure. 
 
 Fresh-smitten by the morning ray. 
 When thou art up, alert and gay. 
 Then, cheerful flower ! my spirits play 
 
 With kindred gladness : 
 And when, at dusk, by dews opprest 
 Thou sink'st, the image of thy rest 
 Hath often eased my pensive breast 
 
 Of careful sadness. 
 
 And all day long I number yet. 
 All seasons through, another debt, 
 Which I, wherever thou are met, 
 To thee am owing ; 
 
 -^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 96 Floral Poetry. 
 
 An instinct call it, a blind sense — 
 A happy, genial influence. 
 Coming one knows not how, nor whence. 
 Nor whither going. 
 
 Child of the year ! that round dost run 
 Thy pleasant course, — when day's begun, 
 As ready to salute the sun 
 
 As lark or leveret, 
 Thy long-lost praise thou shalt regain ; 
 Nor be less dear to future men 
 Than in old time ; — thou not in vain 
 
 Art Nature's favourite. 
 
 Wordsworth. 
 
 THE DAISY 
 
 HOT worlds on worlds, in phalanx deep. 
 Need we to prove that God is here ; 
 The Daisy, fresh from Winter's sleep. 
 Tells of His hand in lines as clear. 
 
 For who but He who arched the skies, 
 And poured the day-spring's living flood, 
 
 Wondrous alike in all He tries. 
 
 Could rear the Daisy's purple bud ; 
 
 Mould its green cup, its wiry stem, 
 
 Its fringed border nicely spin. 
 And cut the gold-cmbosse'd gem 
 
 That, set in silver, gleams within ; 
 
 And fling it unrestrained and free. 
 
 O'er hill and dale, and desert sod, 
 That man, where'er he walks, may see, 
 
 At every step, the stamp of God ? 
 
 John Mason Good. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
^ -^ -^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 97 
 
 TO THE DAISY. 
 
 w 
 
 ITH little here to do or see 
 Of things that in the great world be, 
 Daisy ! again I talk to thee, 
 
 For thou art worthy; ^ 
 
 Thou unassuming commonplace 
 Of Nature, with that homely face. 
 And yet with something of a grace 
 
 Which love makes for thee ! 
 
 Oft on the dappled turf at ease 
 
 I sit, and play with similes. 
 
 Loose types of things through all degrees, 
 
 Thoughts of thy raising ; 
 And many a fond and idle name 
 I give to thee, for praise or blame, 
 As is the humour of the game. 
 
 While I am gazing. 
 
 A nun demure, of lowly port; 
 
 Or sprightly maiden, of Love's court. 
 
 In thy simplicity the sport 
 
 Of all temptations ; 
 A queen in crown of rubies drest ; 
 A starveling in a scanty vest ; 
 Are all, as seems to suit thee best. 
 
 Thy appellations. 
 
 A little Cyclops, with one eye 
 Staring to threaten and defy,- 
 That thought comes next — and instantly 
 The freak is over; 
 
 -^\ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 98 Floral Poetry. 
 
 The shape will vanish — and behold 
 A silver shield with boss of gold, 
 That spreads itself, some fairy bold 
 In fight to cover ! 
 
 I see thee glittering from afar — 
 And then thou art a pretty star ; 
 Not quite so fair as many are 
 
 In heaven above thee ! 
 Yet like a star, with glittering crest, 
 Self-poised in air thou seem'st to rest ;— 
 May peace come never to his nest, 
 
 Who shall reprove thee ! 
 
 Bright flower ! for by that name at last, 
 
 When all my reveries are past, 
 
 I call thee, and to that cleave fast, 
 
 Sweet silent creature ! 
 That breath'st with me in sun and air. 
 Do thou, as thou art wont, repair 
 My heart with gladness, and a share 
 
 Of thy meek nature. 
 
 Wonhtoorih. 
 
 THE DAISY 
 
 HOW, say, what has the Daisy done. 
 That none a song has yet begun. 
 Wherein is modestly set forth 
 This humble, simple flow'ret's worth ? 
 I'll of the Daisy sing to-day. 
 And in its praise shall be my lay. 
 
 ^— ^ 
 
^ — ^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 99 
 
 In proper time the Daisies may 
 Rejoice our hearts like Roses gay ; 
 Who values not the Daisy, ne'er 
 Shall stay among our circle here ; 
 For we will sing a Daisy-song — 
 Who likes it not may hold his tongue. 
 
 Full well you all, my masters, know 
 
 How February's clad in snow ; 
 
 But once the thaw-wind sweep the plain. 
 
 And lo, the Daisy blooms again ! 
 
 Thro' Winter's raging strife to be 
 
 A token of Spring's victory. 
 
 Now when that herald I espy, 
 I feel my bosom bounding high. 
 It seems as though, in joyful guise, 
 To life renewed, all dead things rise ; 
 And Death, to me, says witli a smile, 
 " My subjects sleep but for awhile." 
 
 In Autumn, too, I often see. 
 
 When leaves drop from the sapless tree. 
 
 The Daisy blooms in beauty on. 
 
 As though its morn not yet were gone. 
 
 Heaven grant that once my Autumn liour 
 
 May be like that of Daisy flower. 
 
 I pity much the woeful wight 
 Who holds the Daisy's value light. 
 Who smaller beauties can despise. 
 On greater things will close his eyes ; 
 Do now, to teach us all thy worth 
 Thou little modest flower, stand forth. 
 
 From the German. 
 
^. ^ 
 
 loo Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO A DAISY. 
 
 Y3 RIGHT flower! whose home is everywhere, 
 ^-^ Bold in maternal Nature's care, 
 And all the long year through, the heir 
 
 Of joy or sorrow ; 
 Methinks that there abides in thee 
 Some concord with humanity. 
 Given to no other flower I see 
 
 The forest thorough ! 
 
 Is it that Man is soon deprest ? 
 
 A thoughtless Thing ! who, once unblest, 
 
 Does little on his memory rest, 
 
 Or on his reason : 
 But thou would'st teach him how to find 
 A shelter under every wind, 
 A hope for times that are unkind, 
 
 And every season ? 
 
 Thou wander'st the wide world about. 
 Unchecked by pride or scrupulous doubt, 
 ^\'ith friends to greet thee, or without. 
 
 Yet pleased and willing ; 
 Meek, yielding to the occasion's call. 
 And all things suffering from all, 
 Thy function apostolical 
 
 In peace fulfilling. 
 
 //;v-,A;,v/y//. 
 
 
 -^ 
 
Floral Poetry. loi 
 
 THE D A I.S Y. 
 
 TRAMPLED underfoot 
 The Daisy lives, and strikes its little root 
 Into the lap of time; centuries may come 
 And pass away into the silent tomb, 
 And still the child, hid in the womb of Time 
 Shall smile and pluck them ; when this simple rhyme 
 Shall be forgotten, like a churchyard stone. 
 Or lingering lie unnoticed and alone. 
 When eighteen hundred years, our common date, 
 Grow many thousands in their marching state. 
 Ay, still the child, with pleasure in his eye. 
 Shall cry, the Daisy ! a familiar cry — 
 And run to pluck it in the self-same state : 
 And, like a child himself, when all was new. 
 Might smile with wonder and take notice too : 
 Its little golden bosom filled with snow. 
 Might win e'en Eve to stoop down and shew 
 Her partner, Adam, in the silken grass. 
 The little gem, that smiled where pleasure was. 
 And, loving Eve, from Eden followed ill 
 And bloomed with sorrow, — and lies smiling still. 
 As once in Eden, under Heaven's breath, 
 So now on Earth, and on the lap of death 
 It smiles for ever. 
 
 Clare. 
 
 k- ^ 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 -% 
 
 THE KNIGHT AND THE LADY FAIR. 
 
 ■•FORGET-ME-NOT." 
 
 OGETHER they sate by a river's side 
 A knight and a lady gay, 
 And they watched the deep and eddying tide 
 Round a flowering islet stray. 
 
 And " (Jh for that flower of brilliant hue," 
 Said the lady fair, 
 " To grace my neck with blossoms blue 
 And braid my nut-brown hair ! " 
 
 The knight has plunged in the whirling wave 
 
 All for his lady's smile : 
 And he swims the stream with courage brave, 
 
 And he gains yon flowery isle. 
 
 And his fingers have cropped the blossoms blue. 
 
 And the prize they backward bear : 
 To deck his love with brilliant hue 
 
 And braid her nut-brown hair. 
 
 
 But the way is long and the current strong, 
 And alas for that gallant knight ! 
 
 For the waves prevail and his stout arms fail, 
 Though cheered by his lady's sight. 
 
 Then the blossoms blue to the bank he threw, 
 Ere he sank in the eddying tide ! 
 
 And " Lady, I'm gone, thine own true knight. 
 Forget-me-not," he cried. 
 
 -4 
 
Floral Poetry. 103 
 
 This farewell pledge the lady caught : 
 
 And hence, as legends say, 
 The flower is a sign to awaken thought 
 
 For friends who are far away. 
 
 For the lady fair, of the knight so true, 
 
 Still remembered the hapless lot : 
 And she cherished the flower of brilliant hue. 
 And she braided her hair with the blossoms blue, 
 
 And then called it " Forget-me-not." 
 
 Bishop Mant. 
 
 THE FORGET-ME-NOT. 
 
 J\ Y OT on the mountain's shelving side, 
 * " Nor in the cultivated ground. 
 Nor in the garden's painted pride. 
 The flower I seek is found. 
 
 Where Time on sorrow's page of gloom 
 
 Has fixed its envious lot. 
 Or swept the record from the tomb, 
 
 It says. Forget-me-not. 
 
 And this is still the loveliest flower. 
 
 The fairest of the fair. 
 Of all that deck my lady's bower, 
 
 Or bind her floating hair. 
 
 Anon. 
 
 i^ — — .^ 
 
104 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE FAIREST FLOWER. 
 
 Cf)E Eag nt ttje Captibe ffiatl. 
 
 THE EARL. 
 
 y KNOW a floweret passing fair, 
 A And for its loss I pain me ; 
 Fain would I hence to seek its lair, 
 
 But for these bonds that chain me. 
 Ah, heavy, heavy is my cheer, 
 P"or till I came a prisoner here, 
 
 That flower was ever near me. 
 
 All round the castle's beetling steep, 
 
 I let my glances wander ; 
 But cannot from the dizzy keep 
 
 Descry it, there or yonder. 
 Oh, he who'd bring it to my sight. 
 Or were he knave, or were he knight, 
 
 Should be my friend for ever ! 
 
 THE ROSE. 
 
 I blossom bright thy lattice near. 
 And hear what thou hast spoken ; 
 
 'Tis me — brave ill-starred cavalier — 
 The Rose, thou would'st betoken ! 
 
 Thy spirit spurns the base, the low. 
 
 And 'tis the queen of flowers, I know, 
 That in thy bosom reigneth. 
 
 THE EARL. 
 
 All honour to thy purple cheef, 
 From swathes of verdure blowing ; 
 
 Well may'st thou be to maidens dear. 
 As gold or jewels glowing. 
 
 ^ 
 
^- 
 
 ^ 
 
 Floral Poehy. 105 
 
 Thy wreaths adorn the fairest face, 
 Yet art thou not the flower, whose grace 
 In soUtude I pine for. 
 
 THE LILY. 
 
 A haughty place usurps the Rose, 
 And haughtier still doth covet; 
 
 But where the Lily meekly blows, 
 Some gentle eye will love it. 
 
 The heart that's warm and fond and true. 
 
 And pure as mine, when bathed in dew, 
 Must value me the highest. 
 
 THE EARL. 
 
 Ah, pure and true of heart am I, 
 
 And free from sinful failing. 
 Yet must I here a captive lie, 
 
 My loneliness bewailing. 
 I see the symbol fair in you 
 Of many maidens pure and true. 
 
 Yet know a something dearer. 
 
 THE CARNATION. 
 
 That may thy warder's garden show 
 
 In me, the bright Carnation, 
 Else would the old man tend me so 
 
 With loving adoration ? 
 In perfect round my petals meet, 
 And lifelong are with scent replete, ' 
 
 And with the loveliest colour. 
 
 THE EARL. 
 
 The sweet Carnation none may slight. 
 
 It is the gardener's pleasure ; 
 Now he unfolds it to the light. 
 
 Now shields from it his treasure. 
 
 
io6 Flo7^al Poetry. 
 
 But no — the flower for which I pant, 
 No rare, no brilliant charms can vaunt, 
 'Tis ever meek and lowly. 
 
 THE VIOLET. 
 
 Concealed and drooping I retreat, 
 
 Nor willingly had spoken, 
 But now my silence, since 'tis meet, 
 
 It shall at length be broken. 
 If I be that which fills thy thought, 
 How must I grieve, that I may not 
 
 To thee waft all my odours ! 
 
 THE EARL. 
 
 I love the Violet, indeed. 
 
 So modest in perfection, 
 So gently sweet — yet more I need. 
 
 To soothe my heart's dejection. 
 To thee alone the truth I'll speak, 
 Not on this rock, so bare and bleak. 
 
 Is to be found my darling. 
 
 Earth's truest wife, in yonder glen, 
 
 Is wandering by the river ; 
 Till I, her lord, am free again, 
 
 She'll sigh and weep for ever. 
 When a blue floweret by that spot 
 She plucks, and says — Forget-me-not, 
 
 Here in my cell I feel it. 
 
 #. ■ -tjfi 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 107 
 
 Yes, when two hearts are twined, love's might 
 
 Is felt, whate'er the distance ; 
 So I, within this dungeon's night, 
 
 Cling ever to existence. 
 And when my heart is nigh distraught. 
 If I but say — Forget-me-not, 
 
 Hope bums again within me ! 
 
 Goethe. Translated by Theodore Martin. 
 
 THE FURZE. 
 
 ' )M[ ID scattered foliage, pale and sere, 
 AUA 'pj^y Y\xi&. flow'ret cheers the gloom ; 
 And offers to the waning year 
 The tribute of its golden bloom. 
 
 Beneath November's clouded sky, 
 
 In chill December's stormy hours, 
 Thy blossom meets the traveller's eye. 
 
 Gay as the buds of summer bowers. 
 
 Flower of the dark and wintry day ! 
 
 Emblem of friendship ! thee I hail ! 
 Blooming when others fade away, 
 
 And brightest when their hues grow pale. 
 
 Anon. 
 
 -4 
 
^\ 
 
 io8 
 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE SCARLET GERANIUM. 
 
 WILL not sing the mossy Rose, 
 The Jasmine sweet, or Lily fair, 
 
 The tints the rich Carnation shows, 
 
 The Stock's sweet scent that fills the air. 
 
 Full many a bard has sung their praise 
 In metres smooth, and polished line ; 
 
 A simple flower and humbler lays 
 May best befit a pen like mine. 
 
 There is a small but lovely flower, 
 ^Vith crimson star and calyx brown, 
 
 On pathway side beneath the bower. 
 By Nature's hand profijsely strown. 
 
 Inquire you when this flow'ret springs ? — 
 When Nature wakes to mirth and love. 
 
 When all her fragrance Summer flings, 
 When latest Autumn chills the grove. 
 
 Like the sweet bird whose name it bears, 
 'Midst falling leaves and fading flowers, 
 
 The passing traveller it cheers, 
 
 In shortened days and darksome hours. 
 
 ^- 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 109 
 
 And should you ask me where it blows, 
 I answer, on the mountains bare, 
 
 High on the tufted rock it grows. 
 In lonely glens or meadows fair. 
 
 It blooms amidst those flowery dales, 
 Where winding Aire pursues its course ; 
 
 It smiles upon the craggy fells 
 That rise around its lofty source. 
 
 There are its rosy petals shown, 
 
 'Midst curious forms and mosses rare, 
 
 Imbedded in the dark grey stone, 
 When not another flower is there. 
 
 Oh ! emblem of that steadfast mind 
 
 Which, through the varying scenes of life. 
 
 By genuine piety refined. 
 
 Holds on its way 'midst noise and strife. 
 
 Though dark the impending tempest lower. 
 
 The path of beauty it espies. 
 Calm 'midst the whirlwind and the shower. 
 
 Thankful when brighter hours arise. 
 
 Oh ! could our darkened minds discern 
 In thy sweet form this lesson plain, 
 
 Could we it practically learn. 
 
 Herb Robert would not bloom in \w\. 
 
 Anon. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
^ -^ 
 
 no Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE GILLYFLOWER. 
 
 YY OW gaily on yon ruined wall 
 ^^ The Gillyflower lifts its head; 
 Whilst crumbling masses frequent fall, 
 And leave its fibrous roots displayed. 
 
 Sweet flower ! thou seek'st not to unfold 
 Thy charms 'midst fashion's cultured train, 
 
 But tint'st the rifted mound with gold, 
 '\\'here solitude and silence reign. 
 
 But ah ! where now thy waving bloom 
 
 Fills with rich fragrance all the air. 
 Far lovelier charms have met their doom, 
 
 In cloistral glooms and blank despair. 
 
 There buds of beauty, genius, worth, 
 Ere they could blossom oft were pent ; 
 
 Though born to scatter bliss o'er earth, 
 A cheerless, fruitless life they spent. 
 
 Torn from the world and social ties, 
 
 In Superstition's depths immersed. 
 With none their gifts to scan or prize, 
 
 And heaven's decree in them reversed. 
 
 Not such, sweet flower, thy happier lot, 
 
 Thy humble end not rendered vain ; 
 By nature destined for the spot. 
 
 Thou gladd'st the wide surrounding plain. 
 
 Thomas Gilld. 
 
 C> 
 
 ^- 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. m 
 
 LESSONS FROM THE GORSE. 
 
 MOUNTAIN Gorses, ever-golden, 
 Cankered not the whole year long ! 
 Do ye teach us to be strong, 
 Howsoever pricked and holden, 
 Like your thorny blooms, and so. 
 Trodden on by rain and snow, 
 Up the hill-side of this life, as bleak as where ye grow? 
 
 Mountain blossoms, shining blossoms. 
 Do ye teach us to be glad. 
 When no Summer can be had, 
 Blooming in our inward bosoms ? 
 Ye, whom God preserveth still, 
 Set as lights upon a hill. 
 Tokens to the wintry earth that Beauty liveth still ! 
 
 Mountain Gorses, do ye teach us 
 From that academic chair, 
 Canopied with azure air. 
 That the wisest word man reaches 
 Is the humblest he can speak? 
 Ye, who live on mountain peak. 
 Yet live low along the ground, beside the grasses meek ! 
 
 Mountain Gorses, since Linneeus 
 Knelt beside you on the sod. 
 For your beauty thanking God, — 
 For your teaching — ye should see us 
 Bowing in prostration new ! 
 Whence arisen, — if one or two 
 Drops be on our cheeks — O, world, they are not tears but dew. 
 
 Elhabdh B. Biffianing. 
 
112 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO THE FRINGED GENTIAN. 
 
 jnntHOU blossom, bright with Autumn dew, 
 
 * And coloured with the heaven's own blue, 
 That openest when the quiet light 
 Succeeds the keen and frosty night. 
 
 Thou comest not when Violets lean 
 O'er wandering brooks and springs unseen, 
 Or Columbines, in purple dressed, 
 Nod o'er the ground-bird's hidden nest. 
 
 Thou waitest late, and com'st alone. 
 When woods are bare and birds are flown. 
 And frosts and shortening days portend 
 The aged year is near its end. 
 
 Then doth thy sweet and quiet eye. 
 Look through its fringes to the sky, 
 Blue — blue — as if that sky let fall 
 A flower from its cerulean wall. 
 
 I would that thus, when I shall see 
 The hour of death draw near to me, 
 Hope, blossoming within the heart. 
 May look to heaven as I depart. 
 
 William Cullcn Bryant. 
 
 
Pr 
 
 ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 113 
 
 THE HAWTHORN TREE— THE GLORY OF MAY. 
 
 MONG the many buds proclaiming May, 
 (Decking the fields in holy-day's array, 
 Striving who shall surpass in bravery,) 
 iS' Mark the fair blooming of the Hawthorn tree ; 
 Who, finely clothfed in a robe of white. 
 Feeds full the wanton eye with May's delight. 
 Yet, for the bravery that she is in. 
 Doth neither handle card nor wheel to spin. 
 Nor changeth robes but twice, is never seen 
 In other colours than in white or green. 
 Learn then content, young shepherd, from this tree. 
 Whose greatest wealth is Nature's livery ; 
 And richest ingots never toil to find, 
 
 Nor care for poverty, but of the mind. 
 
 Browne. 
 
 THE HAREBELL. 
 
 i^ 
 
 " Y?tOR me," — she stopped, and, looking round, 
 ^ Plucked a blue Harebell from the ground, — 
 " For me, whose memory scarce conveys 
 An image of more splendid days. 
 This little flower that loves the lea, 
 May well my simple emblem be ; 
 It drinks heaven's dew, blithe as the Rose 
 That in the king's own garden grows ; 
 And when I place it in my hair, 
 Allan, a bard is bound to swear 
 He ne'er saw coronet so fair." 
 
 Sir Walter Scott. 
 
 ^ 
 
114 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE HAREBELL. 
 
 Y N Spring's green lap there blooms a flower, 
 
 Whose cup imbibes each vernal shower ; 
 That sips fresh nature's balmy dew, 
 Clad in her sweetest, purest blue ; 
 Yet shuns the ruddy eye of morning, 
 The shaggy wood's brown shades adorning. 
 Simple flow'ret ! child of May ! 
 Though hid from the broad gaze of day. 
 Doomed in the shade thy sweets to shed, 
 I'nnoticed droops thy languid head ; 
 Still Nature's darling thou'lt remain. 
 She feeds thee with her softest rain ; 
 Fills each sweet bad with honeyed tears. 
 With genial gales thy bosom cheers. 
 Ah, then unfold thy simple charms, 
 In yon deep thicket's circling arms. 
 Far from the fierce and sultry glare, 
 No heedless hand shall harm thee there ; 
 Still, then, avoid the gaudy scene, 
 The flaunting sun, th' embroidered green, 
 And bloom and fade, with chaste reserve, unseen. 
 
 CiU'oline Syminons. 
 
 ■^ 
 
e>r 
 
 Floral Poetry. 115 
 
 THE HAZEL. 
 
 \n/HENE'ER I see soft hazel eyes 
 " ■ And nut-brown curls, 
 I think of those bright days I spent 
 
 Among the Limerick girls ; 
 When up through Cratla woods I went, 
 
 Nutting with thee ; 
 And we plucked the glossy clustering fruit 
 
 From many a bending tree. 
 
 Beneath the hazel boughs we sat, 
 
 Thou, love, and I, 
 And the gathered nuts lay in thy lap. 
 
 Beneath thy downcast eye : 
 But little we thought of the store we'd won, 
 
 I, love, or thou ; 
 For our hearts were full, and we dare not own 
 
 The love that's spoken now. 
 
 Oh, there's wars for willing hsarts in Spain, 
 
 And high Germanie ! 
 And I'll come back, ere long, again, 
 
 With knightly fame and fee ; 
 And I'll come back, if I ever come back. 
 
 Faithful to thee. 
 That sat with thy white lap full of nuts 
 
 Beneath the Hazel tree. 
 
 Samuel Ferntscn. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 %t> 
 
Pr- 
 
 >■■• 
 
 ii6 Floral Poetry. 
 
 HE ART'S-EASE. 
 
 Y N gardens oft a beauteous flower there grows, 
 A By vulgar eyes unnoticed and unseen ; 
 In sweet serenity it humbly blows, 
 
 And rears its purple head to deck the green. 
 
 This flower, as nature's poet sweetly sings, 
 
 ^Vas once milk-white, and Heart's-ease was its name. 
 
 Till wanton Cupid poised its roseate wings, 
 A vestal's sacred bosom to inflame. 
 
 \Vith treacherous aim the god his arrow drew. 
 
 Which she with icy coldness did repel, 
 Rebounding thence with feathery speed it flew, 
 
 Till on this lonely flower, at last, it fell. 
 
 Heart's-ease no more the wandering shepherd found ; 
 
 No' more the nymphs its snowy form possess ; 
 Its white now changed to purple by Love's wound, 
 
 Heart's-ease no more, — 'tis Love in Idleness. 
 
 Mi'S. Sheridan. 
 
 H E ART'S-EASE. 
 
 Y USED to love thee, simple flower, 
 ^ To love thee dearly when a boy ; 
 For thou didst seem in childhood's hour 
 The smiling type of childhood's joy. 
 
 But now thou only work'st my grief, 
 By waking thoughts of pleasures fled. 
 
 C:ive me — give me the withered leaf, 
 That falls on Autumn's bosom dead. 
 
 ct^- 
 
 -^ 
 
^- -^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 117 
 
 For that ne'er tells of what has been, 
 But warns me what I soon shall be ; 
 
 It looks not back on pleasure's scene, 
 But points unto futurity. 
 
 I love thee not, thou simple flower, 
 For thou art gay, and I am lone ; 
 
 Thy beauty died with childhood's hour — 
 The Heart's-ease from my path is gone. 
 
 Anon, 
 
 HEART'S-EASE. 
 
 I SAW, 
 
 Flying between the cold moon and the earth, 
 
 Cupid all armed ; a certain aim he took 
 
 At a fair vessel throned in the west. 
 
 And loosed his love -shaft smartly from his bow, 
 
 As it should pierce a hundred thousand hearts. 
 
 But I might see young Cupid's fiery shaft 
 
 Quenched in the chaste beams of the watery moon, 
 
 And the imperial vot'ress passed on. 
 
 In maiden meditation, fancy-free. 
 
 Yet marked I where the bolt of Cupid fell : 
 
 It fell upon a little western flower. 
 
 Before milk-white, now purple with Love's wound, 
 
 And maidens call it Love in Idleness. 
 
 The juice of it, on sleeping eyelids laid. 
 
 Will make a man or woman madly dote 
 
 Upon the next live creature that it sees. 
 
 ^ ^ ^ — . — '4^ 
 
^ ■ ^ 
 
 1 18 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE HOLLY TREE. 
 
 READER! hast thou ever stood to see 
 The Holly tree? 
 The eye that contemplates it well perceives 
 
 Its glossy leaves, 
 Ordered by an Intelligence so wise 
 As might confound the atheist's sophistries. 
 
 Below a circling fence its leaves are seen, 
 
 A\'rinkled and keen ; 
 \'o grazing cattle through their prickly round 
 
 Can reach to wound ; 
 But, as they grow where nothing is to fear, 
 Smooth and unarmed the pointless leaves appear. 
 
 I love to view these things with curious eyes. 
 
 And moralise ; 
 And in this wisdom of the Holly tree 
 
 Can emblems see, 
 AVherewith, perchance, to make a pleasant rhyme ; 
 One which may profit in the after-time. 
 
 Thus, though abroad, perchance, I might appear 
 
 Harsh and austere ; 
 To those who on my leisure would intrude, 
 
 Reserved and rude ; 
 Gentle at home amid my friends I'd be, 
 Like the high leaves upon the Holly tree. 
 
 And should my youth, as youtli is apt, I know, 
 
 Some harshness show, 
 ;\11 vain asperities I, day by day. 
 
 Would wear away. 
 Till the smooth temper of my age should be 
 Like the high leaves upon the Holly tree. 
 
 ^- 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 119 
 
 And as, when all the summer trees are seen 
 
 So bright and green, 
 The Holly leaves their fadeless hues display. 
 
 Less bright than they; 
 But when the bare and wintry woods we see, 
 What then so cheerful as the Holly tree? 
 
 So, serious should my youth appear among 
 
 The thoughtless throng ; 
 So would I seem, among the young and gay, 
 
 More grave than they; 
 That in my age as cheerful I might be 
 As the green winter of the Holly tree. 
 
 R. Southey. 
 
 THE HELIOTROPE. 
 
 THERE is a flower, whose modest eye 
 Is turned with looks of light and love, 
 Who breathes her softest, sweetest sigh, 
 Whene'er the sun is bright above. 
 
 Let clouds obscure, or darkness veil, 
 
 Her fond idolatry is fled ; 
 Her sighs no more their sweets exhale, 
 
 The loving eye is cold and dead. 
 
 Can'st thou not trace a moral here, 
 False flatterer of the prosperous hour? 
 
 Let but an adverse cloud appear, 
 And thou art faithless as the flower. 
 
 Anon. 
 
 fe. ^ 
 
<^^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO THE HEPATICA. 
 
 (^\\'EET gem of J''lora's earliest bower ! 
 '^ Uprear thy blushing head ; 
 Though wintry skies upon thee lower. 
 
 And snows around are spread ; 
 Still let thy lovely petals glow, 
 
 Arrayed in all their charms, 
 And to distrustful mortals show. 
 
 Life buds in death's cold arms. 
 
 Sweet gem ! thy blush is like the glow 
 
 By convalescence dealt, 
 That paints the cheek, and gilds tlie brow, 
 
 Where sickness long had dwelt ; 
 Or like the radiant quickening smile. 
 
 By kind affection given. 
 That soothes the heart, despair and guile 
 
 Had sunk and almost ri\en. 
 
 Invite thy sisters of the plain. 
 Each vernal fragrant sweet ; 
 
 Till with gay tribes of e\ery stain, 
 The garden smiles replete : 
 
 And let thy lovely petals glow, 
 Still clad in all their charms ; 
 
 And to distrustful mortals show- 
 Life buds in death's cold arms. 
 
 ■^ 
 
 air' 
 
 Thomas Gillcl. 
 
^ -^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 121 
 
 HOLLY. 
 
 A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 jnptHE Rose it is the love of June, 
 
 ^ The Violet that of Spring, 
 But all those faithless fading flowers. 
 
 That take the south-wind's wing, 
 As craven blooms I hold in scorn, 
 The Holly's the wreath for a Christmas morn ! 
 
 Its berries are red as a ma:iden's lip, 
 
 Its leaves are of changeless green. 
 And anything changeless now, I wis. 
 
 Is somewhat rare to be seen ! — 
 The Holly which fall and frost has borne, 
 The Holl/s the wreath for a Christmas morn ! 
 
 Its edges are set in keen array ; 
 
 They are fairy weapons, bared; 
 And, in an unlucky world like ours, 
 
 'Tis well to be prepared. 
 Like helm on crest of warrior borne. 
 The Holly's the wreath for a Christmas morn ! 
 
 The Holly it is no green-house plant. 
 
 But grows in the common air ; 
 In the peasant's lattice, the castle hall, 
 
 Its green leaves alike are there. 
 Its lesson should in mind be borne — 
 The Holly's the wreath for a Christmas morn ! 
 
 Anon. 
 
 ^- 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 HOLLY AND IVY 
 
 PART I. 
 
 HOLLY and Ivy made a great party, 
 \\'ho should have the mastery 
 In lands where they go. 
 
 Then spake the Holly, " I am fierce and jolly, 
 I will have the mastery 
 
 In lands where we go." 
 
 Then spake Ivy, " I am loud and proud. 
 And I will have the mastery 
 In lands where we go." 
 
 Then spake Holly, and bent him down on his knee, 
 " I pray thee, gentle Ivy, 
 Essay me no villany 
 
 In lands where we go." 
 
 PART II. — THE REPLY. 
 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, it shall not be, I wis, 
 
 Let Holly have the mastery as the manner is. 
 
 Holly standeth in the hall fair to behold. 
 Ivy standeth without the door; she is full sore a-cold. 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 Holly and his merry men, they dance now and they sing ; 
 Ivy and her maidens, they weep, and their hands wring. 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 Holly he hath berries as red as any rose. 
 The foresters, the hunters, keep them from the does. 
 Na)', Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 ■^ 
 
 123 
 
 Ivy she hath berries as black as any sloe, 
 There come the owls and eat them as they go. 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 Holly he hath birds a full fair flock, 
 The nightingale, the popinjay, the gentle laverock. 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 Good Ivy, say to us, what birds hast thou, 
 None but the owlet that cries How ! How ! 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 Ancient Carols. 
 
 THE HYACINTH. 
 
 GHILD of the Spring, thou charming flower. 
 No longer in confinement lie, 
 Arise to light, thy form discover. 
 Rival the azure of the sky. 
 
 The rains are gone, the storms are o'er ; 
 
 Winter retires to make thee way ; 
 Come then, thou sweetly blooming flower, 
 
 Come, lovely stranger, come away. 
 
 The sun is dressed in beaming smiles, 
 To give thy beauties to the day : 
 
 Young Zephyrs wait with gentlest gales, 
 To fan thy bosom as they play. 
 
 Casimir 
 
 ^ 
 
 ->4 
 
^ — 
 
 124 Floral Poetry. 
 
 M- 
 
 THE HONEYSUCKLE. 
 
 (^EE the Honeysuckle twine 
 
 ^-' Round this casement ; — 'tis a shrine 
 
 Where the heart doth incense give, 
 
 And the pure aifections hve 
 
 In the mother's gentle breast 
 
 By her smiling infant pressed. 
 
 Blessed shrine ! dear, blissful home ! 
 Source whence happiness doth come ! 
 Round by the cheerful hearth we meet 
 All things beauteous — all things sweet — 
 Every solace of man's life. 
 Mother — daughter — sister — wife. 
 
 England, isle of free and brave, 
 Circled by the Atlantic wave ! 
 Though we seek the fairest land 
 That the south wind ever fanned. 
 Yet we cannot hope to see 
 Homes so holy as in thee. 
 
 As the tortoise turns its head 
 Towards its native ocean-bed. 
 Howsoever far it be 
 From its own beloved sea. 
 Thus, dear Albion, evermore 
 Do we turn to seek thy shore ! 
 
 Countess of BUssinglon. 
 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 125 
 
 HOLLY SONG. 
 
 B' 
 
 :LOW, blow, thou winter wind. 
 
 Thou art not so unkind 
 As man's ingratitude ; 
 Thy tooth is not so keen, 
 Because thou art not seen, 
 Although thy breath be rude. 
 Heigh-ho ! sing heigh-ho ! unto the green Holly ; 
 Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly ; 
 Then, heigh-ho ! the Holly ! 
 This life is most jolly. 
 
 Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky, 
 Thou dost not bite so nigh 
 
 As benefits forgot : 
 Though thou the waters warp, 
 Thy sting is not so sharp 
 As friend remembered not. 
 Heigh-ho ! sing heigh-ho ! unto the green Holly ; 
 Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly ; 
 Then heigh-ho ! the Holly ! 
 This life is most jolly. 
 
 Shakspere. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
^- 
 
 126 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 •■n 
 
 THE IVY SONG. 
 
 H ! how could fancy crown with thee 
 In ancient days the God of ^A'ine, 
 And bid thee at the banquet be 
 
 Companion of the Vine ! 
 Thy home, wild plant, is where each sound 
 Of revelry hath long been o'er, 
 ^Vl^L■rc song's full notes once pealed around, 
 But now are known no more. 
 
 The Roman on his battle-plains, 
 
 Where kings before his eagles bent. 
 Entwined thee with exulting strains 
 
 Around the victor's tent ! 
 Yet there, though fresh in glossy green, 
 
 Triumphantly thy boughs might wave, 
 Better thou lov'st the silent scene 
 
 Around the victor's grave. 
 
 Oh ! many a temple, once sublime, 
 
 Beneath a blue Italian sky. 
 Hath nought of beauty left by time. 
 
 Save thy wild tapestry ! 
 And, reared 'midst crags and clouds, 'tis thine 
 
 To wave where banners waved of yore. 
 O'er towers that crest the noble Rhine, 
 
 Along the rocky shore. 
 
 i^- 
 
 High from the fields of air look down 
 Those eyries of a vanished race, 
 
 Homes of the mighty, whose renown 
 Hath passed, and left no trace. 
 
 •-(lb 
 
Floral Poetry. 127 
 
 But there thou art ! thy foliage bright, 
 
 Unchanged the mountain storm can brave ; 
 Thou, that wilt climb the loftiest height, 
 
 Or deck the humblest grave ! 
 
 'Tis still the same ! where'er we tread 
 
 The wrecks of human power we see — 
 The marvels of all ages fled, 
 
 Left to decay and thee ! 
 And still let man his fabrics rear, 
 
 August in beauty, grace, and strength ; 
 Days pass — thou Ivy never sere ! — 
 
 And all is thine at length ! 
 
 lilrs. Ihnians, 
 
 THE IVY. 
 
 HAST thou seen, in Winter's stormiest day, 
 The trunk of a blighted Oak, 
 Not dead, but sinking in slow decay 
 
 Beneath Time's resistless stroke. 
 Round which a luxuriant Ivy had grown, 
 And wreathed it with verdure no longer its own ? 
 
 Perchance thou hast seen this sight, and then, 
 
 As I at thy years might do. 
 Passed carelessly by, nor turned again 
 
 That scathfed wreck to view ; 
 But now I can draw from that mouldering tree 
 Thoughts which are soothing and dear to me. 
 
 Oh ! smile not, nor think it a worthless thing, 
 
 If it be with instruction fraught ; 
 That which will closest and longest cling. 
 
 Is alone worth a serious thought. 
 Should aught be unlovely, which thus can shed 
 Grace on the dying, and lea\es on the dead? 
 
 Barton. 
 
^r 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 /■ 
 
 I V Y 
 
 mm 
 
 VY, chief of trees, it is 
 / ?/// coronaheris. 
 
 The most worthy is she in town ; 
 
 He who says other, says amiss ; 
 Worthy is she to bear the crown ; 
 
 Veni (oronaberis. 
 
 Ivy is soft, and meek of speech, 
 Against all woe she bringeth bliss ; 
 
 Happy is he that may her reach ; 
 ]''eni coi'Ofiabej'is. 
 
 Ivy is green, of colour bright. 
 Of all trees the chief she is ; 
 
 And that I prove will now be right ; 
 Veni coronaheris. 
 
 Ivy, she beareth berries black ; 
 
 God grant to all of us His bliss I 
 For then we shall nothing lack ; 
 
 Veni foronaberis. 
 
 Aiu'iait Carol. 
 
 U^- 
 
 ^\ 
 
^ 
 
 'W' 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 129 
 
 TO THE JESSAMINE. 
 
 WEET Jessamine ! long may thy elegant flower 
 Breathe fragrance and solace for me ; 
 And long thy green sprigs overshadow the bower 
 Devoted to friendship and thee. 
 
 The eye that was dazzled where Lilies and Roses 
 
 Their brilliant assemblage displayed, 
 With grateful delight on thy verdure reposes, 
 
 A tranquil and delicate shade. 
 
 But ah ! what dejection that foliage expresses, 
 
 Which pensively droops on her breast ! 
 The dew of the evening has laden her tresses. 
 
 And stands like a tear on her crest. 
 
 I'll watch by thy side through the gloom of the night, 
 
 Impatient till morning appears : 
 No charm can awaken this. heart to delight. 
 
 My Jessamine, while thou art in tears. 
 
 But soon will the shadows of night be withdrawn. 
 
 Which ever in mercy are given ; 
 And. thou shalt be cheered by the light of the morn, 
 
 And fanned by the breezes of heaven. 
 
 And still may thy tranquil and delicate shade 
 
 Yield fragrance and solace to me ; 
 For though all the flowers in my garden should fade, 
 
 My heart will repose upon thee. 
 
 Miss Jane Taylor. 
 
 ^- 
 
ti^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO A JASMINE-TREE. 
 
 GROWING IN THE COURT OF HAWORTH CASTLE. 
 
 \K ^ slight and slender Jasmine-tree, 
 AUA That bloomest on my Border tower, 
 Thou art more dearly loved by me. 
 Than all the wealth of fairy bower. 
 
 I ask not, while I near thee dwell, 
 
 Arabia's spice or Syria's rose ; 
 Thy bright festoons more freshly smell, 
 
 Thy virgin white more freshly glows. 
 
 My mild and winsome Jasmine-tree, 
 
 That climbest up the dark-grey wall, 
 Thy tiny flow'rets seem in glee. 
 
 Like silver spray-drops down to fall : 
 
 -Say, did they from their leaves thus peep, 
 ■\\'hen mailed moss-troopers rode the hill, 
 
 When helmed wardens paced the keep. 
 And bugles blew for Belted Will ? 
 
 My free and feathery Jasmine-tree, 
 
 Within the fragrance of thy breath. 
 Yon dungeon grated to its key. 
 
 And the chained captive pined for death. 
 
 On Border fray, on feudal crime, 
 
 I dream not while I gaze on thee ; 
 The chieftains of that stern old time 
 
 Could ne'er have loved a Jasmine-tree. 
 
 Lord Morpdh. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 131 
 
 THE JASMINE. 
 
 'jnniVVAS midnight — through the lattice wreathed 
 * With Woodbine, many a perfume breathed 
 From plants that wake when others sleep ; 
 From timid Jasmine buds that keep 
 Their odour to themselves all day ; 
 But when the sunlight dies away, 
 Let the delicious secret out 
 To every breeze that roams about. 
 
 Moort 
 
 
mr 
 
 ■^ 
 
 Flo7'al Poetiy. 
 
 THE L A U R U S T I N U S. 
 
 MR tree of Winter ! fresh and flowering, 
 When all around is dead and dry : 
 
 Whose ruby buds, though storms are louring. 
 Spread their white blossoms to the sky ; 
 
 ^ vt'S.i" Green are thy leaves, more purely green 
 j_^o Through every changmg period seen; 
 
 And when the gaudy months are past, 
 Thy loveliest season is the last. 
 
 Be thou an emblem — thus unfolding 
 
 The history of that maiden's mind. 
 Whose eye, these humble lines beholding, 
 
 In them her future lot may find : 
 Through life's mutations may she be 
 
 A modest evergreen like thee ; 
 Though blessed in youth, in age more blessed, 
 
 Still be her latest days the best. 
 
 Moilt^^iV/u-ry. 
 
 SWEET LAVENDER 
 
 0^ 
 
 SWEET Lavender ! I love thy flower 
 Of meek and modest blue. 
 Which meets the morn and evening hour, 
 The storm, the sunshine, and the shower, 
 And changeth not its hue. 
 
 In cottage-maid's parterre thou'rt seen 
 
 In simple touching grace : 
 And in the garden of the queen, 
 Midst costly plants and blossoms sheen. 
 
 Thou also hast a place. 
 
 # 
 
Floral Poetry. 133 
 
 The Rose with bright and peerless bloom, 
 
 Attracted many eyes : 
 But while her glories and perfume, 
 Expire before brief Summer's doom, 
 
 Thy fragrance never dies. 
 
 Thou art not like the fickle train 
 
 Our adverse fates estrange : 
 Who in the day of grief and pain 
 Are found deceitful, light, and vain, 
 
 For thou dost never change. 
 
 But thou are emblem of the friend, 
 
 Who, whatsoe'er our lot, 
 
 The balm of faithful love will bend. 
 
 And, true and constant, to the end, 
 
 May die, but alters not. 
 
 Agnes Strickland. 
 
 THE LILY. 
 
 THE stream with languid murmur creeps 
 In Lumin's flow'ry vale ; 
 Beneath the dew the Lily weeps, 
 Slow waving to the gale. 
 
 " Cease, restless gale !" it seems to say, 
 
 " Nor wake me with thy sighing ! 
 The honours of my vernal day 
 
 On rapid wings are flying. 
 
 " To-morrow shall the traveller come 
 
 Who late beheld me blooming; 
 His searching eye shall vainly roam 
 
 The dreary vale of Lumin.'' 
 
 Samuel Taylur ColcriJi^c, 
 
^ ^ 
 
 134 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE LILY 
 
 Y_Y OW withered, perished, seems the form 
 ^ * Of yon obscm-e unsightly root ! 
 Yet from the bhght of wintry storm 
 It hides secure the precious fruit. 
 
 The careless eye can find no grace, 
 
 No beauty in the scaly folds, 
 Nor see within the dark embrace 
 
 What latent loveliness it holds. 
 
 Yet in that bulb, those sapless scales, 
 The Lily wraps her silver vest, 
 
 Till vernal suns and vernal gales 
 
 Shall kiss once more her fragrant breast. 
 
 Yes, hide beneath the mould'ring heap. 
 The undelighting slighted thing; 
 
 There in the cold earth buried deep. 
 In silence let it wait the Spring. 
 
 Oh ! many a stormy night shall close 
 In gloom upon the barren earth, 
 
 While still in undisturbed repose. 
 Uninjured lies the future birth. 
 
 ^ 
 
^ — ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 135 
 
 And ignorance, with sceptic eye, 
 
 Hope's patient smile shall wondering view; 
 
 Or mock her fond credulity. 
 
 As her soft tears the spot bedew. 
 
 Sweet smile of hope, delicious tear, 
 
 The sun, the shower indeed shall come ; 
 The promised verdant shoot appear. 
 
 And Nature bid her blossoms bloom. 
 
 And thou, O virgin queen of Spring, 
 
 Shalt from thy dark and lowly bed, 
 Bursting thy green sheath's silken string, 
 
 Unveil thy charms, and perfume shed ; 
 
 Unfold thy robes of purest white. 
 
 Unsullied from their darksome grave, 
 And thy soft petals' flowery light. 
 
 In the mild breeze unfettered wave. 
 
 So faith shall seek the lowly dust. 
 
 Where humble sorrow loves to lie. 
 And bid her thus her hopes intrust. 
 
 And watch with patient, cheerful eye ; 
 
 And bear the long, cold, wintry night. 
 
 And bear her own degraded doom. 
 And wait till heaven's reviving light. 
 
 Eternal spring ! shall burst the gloom. 
 
 Mary Tlgh,: 
 
 fr- 
 
136 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE LILY AND THE ROSE. 
 
 jnnLHE nymph must lose her female friend, 
 
 ^ If more admired than she — 
 But where will fierce contention end, 
 If flowers can disagree ? 
 
 Within the garden's peaceful scene 
 
 Appeared two lovely foes, 
 Aspiring to the rank of queen — 
 
 The Lily and the Rose. 
 
 The Rose soon reddened into rage, 
 
 And, swelling with disdain, 
 Appealed to many a poet's page 
 
 To prove her right to reign. 
 
 The Lily's height bespoke command, 
 
 A fair imperial flower ; 
 She seemed designed for Flora's hand. 
 
 The sceptre of her power. 
 
 This civil bickering and debate 
 
 The goddess chanced to hear. 
 And flew to save, ere yet too late. 
 
 The pride of the parterre. 
 
 " Yours is,'' she said, " the noblest hue, 
 
 And yours the statelier mien ; 
 And, till a third surpasses you. 
 
 Let each be deemed a queen." 
 
 ^ 
 
t,' 
 
 ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. J37 
 
 Thus soothed and reconciled, each seeks 
 
 The fairest British fair; 
 The seat of empire is her cheeks ; 
 
 They reign united there. 
 
 CirnipLT. 
 
 THE LILY AND CHILD. 
 
 Y NNOCENT child and snow-white flower ! 
 ^ Well are ye paired in your opening hour, 
 Thus should the pure and the lovely meet. 
 Stainless with stainless, and sweet with sweet. 
 
 White, as those leaves just blown apart. 
 Are the pliant folds of thy own young heart ; 
 Guilty passion and cankering care 
 Never have left their traces there. 
 
 Artless one ! though thou gazest now 
 O'er the white blossoms with earnest brow, 
 Soon will it tire thy childish eye. 
 Fair as it is, thou wilt throw it by. 
 
 Throw it aside in thy weary hour, 
 Throw to the ground the fair white flower ; 
 Yet, as thy tender years depart. 
 Keep that white and innocent heart. 
 
 Bryant, 
 
138 Flo7'al Poetry. 
 
 THE LILY 
 
 /yXHERE is a pale and modest flower 
 
 ^ In garb of green arrayed, 
 That decks the rustic maiden's bower 
 
 And blossoms in the glade : 
 Though other flowers around me bloom 
 
 In gaudy splendour drest, 
 Filling the air with rich perfume, 
 
 I love the Lily best. 
 
 I see the Tulip's gorgeous hue 
 
 And Sunflower's crown of gold : 
 I see the Rose and Woodbine too 
 
 Their scented leaves unfold : 
 Though they adorn the gay parterre, 
 
 I love them not as well 
 As the drooping Lily, frail and fair, 
 
 That grows in shady dell. 
 
 THE LILY AND THE ROSE. 
 
 -"f 
 
 Anon. 
 
 THE snowy Lily pressed with heavy rain, 
 Which fills her cup with showers up to the brink, 
 The weary stalk no longer can sustain 
 
 The head, but low beneath the burden sink. 
 Or should the virgin Rose her leaves display, 
 And ope her bosom to the blaze of day, 
 Down drops her double ruff, and all her charms decay. 
 
 ;^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floi'al Poetry. 139 
 
 Languid and dying seems the purple flower, 
 
 Fainting through heat, low hangs her drooping head; 
 
 But if revived by a soft falling shower. 
 Again her lively beauties she doth spread, 
 
 And with new pride her silken leaves display ; 
 
 And while the sun doth now more gently play. 
 
 Lays out her swelling bosom to the smiling day. 
 
 Giles Fletcher. 
 
 I SEND THE LILIES GIVEN TO ME. 
 
 Y SEND the Lilies given to me, 
 
 A Though, long before thy hand they touch, 
 
 I know that they must withered be ; 
 
 But yet reject them not as such : 
 For I have cherished them as dear. 
 
 Because they yet may meet thine eye. 
 And guide thy soul to mine even here, 
 
 When thou behold'st them drooping nigh. 
 And know'st them gathered by the Rhine, 
 And offered from my heart to thine ! 
 
 The river nobly foams and flows, 
 
 The charm of this enchanted ground. 
 And all its thousand turns disclose 
 
 Some fresher beauty varying round ; 
 The haughtiest breast its wish might bound, 
 
 Through life to dwell delighted here ; 
 Nor could on earth a spot be found 
 
 To nature and to me so dear. 
 Could thy dear eyes, in following mine. 
 Still sweeten more these banks of Rhine ? 
 
 Byron. 
 
^ ^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 140 
 
 THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 FAIR flower, that, lapt in lowly glade, 
 Dost hide beneath the greenwood shade, 
 Than whom the vernal gale 
 None fairer wakes, on bank or spray, 
 Our England's Lily of the May, 
 Our Lily of the Vale ! 
 
 Art thou that " Lily of the field," 
 Which, when the Saviour sought to shield 
 
 The heart from blank despair. 
 He showed to our mistrustful kind. 
 An emblem of the thoughtful mind. 
 
 Of God's paternal care? 
 
 Not this, I trow ; for brighter shine 
 To the warm skies of Palestine 
 
 Those children of the East ; 
 There, when mild Autumn's early rain 
 Descends on parched Esdrela's plain 
 
 And Tabor's oak-girt crest. 
 
 More frequent than the host of night, 
 Those earth-born stars, as sages write, 
 
 Their brilliant discs unfold ; 
 Fit symbol of imperial state. 
 Their sceptre-seeming forms elate, 
 
 And crowns of burnished gold. 
 
 But not the less, sweet spring-tide's flower, 
 Dost thou display the Maker's power, 
 His skill and handiwork ; 
 
 ^- ^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 141 
 
 Our western valleys' humbler child, 
 Where, in green nook of woodland wild. 
 Thy modest blossoms lurk. 
 
 What though nor care nor art be thine. 
 The loom to ply, the thread to twine, 
 
 Yet, born to bloom and fade, 
 Thee to a lovelier robe arrays. 
 Than, e'en in Israel's brightest days, 
 
 Her wealthiest kings arrayed. 
 
 Of thy twin-leaves the embowered screen, 
 Which wraps thee in thy shroud of green, 
 
 Thy Eden-breathing smell ; 
 Thy arched and purple-vested stem. 
 Whence pendent many a pearly gem, 
 
 Displays a milk-white bell ; 
 
 Instinct with life thy fibrous root, 
 
 Which sends from earth the ascending shoot. 
 
 As rising from the dead, 
 And fills thy veins with verdant juice, 
 Charged thy fair blossoms to produce. 
 
 And berries scarlet red; 
 
 The triple cell, the twofold seed, 
 A ceaseless treasure-house decreed, 
 
 Whence aye thy race may grow, 
 As from creation they have grown. 
 While Spring shall weave her flowery crown. 
 
 Or vernal breezes blow. 
 
142 Floral Poetry. 
 
 Who forms thee thus, with unseen hand? 
 Who at creation gave command, 
 
 And willed thee thus to be ; 
 And keeps thee still in being, through 
 Age after age revolving ? Who 
 
 But the great God is He ? 
 
 Omnipotent, to work His will ; 
 Wise, who contrives each part to fill 
 
 The post to each assigned; 
 Still provident, with sleepless care. 
 To keep ; to make thee sweet and fair, 
 
 For man's enjoyment — kind ! 
 
 " There is no God," the senseless say : — 
 " O God ! why cast'st thou us away ?" 
 
 Of feeble faith and frail, 
 The mourner breathes his anxious thought ; 
 By thee a better lesson taught, 
 
 Sweet Lily of the Vale ! 
 
 Yes, He who made and fosters thee, 
 In reason's eye perforce must be 
 
 Of majesty divine ; 
 Nor deems she that His guardian care 
 Will He in man's support forbear, 
 
 Who thus provides for thine. 
 
 Bishop Maul. 
 
 ^- 
 
Floral Poetry. 743 
 
 TO THE WHITE WATER-LILY. 
 
 H_Y YMPH of the slowj deep, silvery stream, 
 
 In queen-like splendour drest, 
 How sweetly to the orient beam 
 Thou op'st thy spotless breast. 
 
 Pure through the golden hours of day 
 
 Thy beauty courts the light ; 
 But, cautious, wrapt in close array. 
 
 Thou shield'st it from the night. 
 
 But when returned, the god of day 
 
 The fields of ether warms. 
 Sweet flower ! thou spring'st to hail his ray, 
 
 Beaming in all thy charms. 
 
 Nymph of the stream, how bright, how fair. 
 
 Thy pearly petals shine ! 
 Not robes that eastern monarchs wear 
 
 Display such charms as thine. 
 
 Then bloom, sweet flower! and long preside 
 
 Majestic o'er the stream ; 
 The rustic's joy, the florist's pride, 
 
 The poet's darling theme. 
 
 Thomas Gillel. 
 
144 Floral Poetry. 
 
 LILIES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 \^0U dream not, as the soft wind stirs 
 * Those little fairy bells, 
 How to my heart sad pleasure comes. 
 Each cup a story tells. 
 
 They bring before my eyes a form 
 
 As fragile and as sweet ; 
 I seem again to hear the fall 
 
 Of her light tripping feet. 
 
 Once more, as in the olden days. 
 
 Her small hand clasped in mine, 
 I wander through cool mossy paths 
 
 Beneath the fragrant pine ; 
 
 Around that fair young head I bind 
 
 Wreaths of the fragrant flowers ; 
 And silently we watch the stars. 
 
 And pass away glad hours. 
 
 The morning dawn, the sultry noon, 
 
 The hours of calm midnight, 
 Still found us ever side by side. 
 
 Still found my flower bright. 
 
 Trembling, I gaze in those deep eyes. 
 
 So full of earnest love ; 
 No taint of earth, as years passed on. 
 
 Could stain my snowy do\c. 
 
 fe, ^ ^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 145 
 
 Whence came the spell, which ever seemed 
 
 To hold each passer-by ? 
 Was it a look of heaven they read, 
 
 On lip, and brow, and eye ? 
 
 Oh, let me kneel beside this cross, 
 
 Beneath the Hawthorn tree ; 
 And say, with heart of gratitude, 
 
 " My child, 'tis well with thee ! " 
 
 Asnes R. Howell. 
 
 THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 TO the curious eye 
 A little monitor presents her page 
 Of choice instruction, with her snowy bells, 
 The Lily of the Vale. She nor affects 
 The pubhc walk, nor gaze of mid-day sun : 
 She to no state or dignity aspires. 
 But silent and alone puts on her suit, 
 And sheds a lasting perfume, but for which 
 We had not known there was a thing so sweet 
 Hid in the gloomy shade. So, when the blast 
 Her sister tribes confounds, and to the earth 
 Stoops their high heads that vainly were exposed. 
 She feels it not, but flourishes anew. 
 Still sheltered and secure. And as the storm. 
 That makes the high Elm couch, and rends the Oak, 
 The humble Lily spares, — a thousand blows 
 That shake the lofty monarch on his throne, 
 We lesser folks feel not. Keen are the pains 
 Advancement often brings. To be secure. 
 Be humble ; to be happy, be content. 
 
 James Hztrdis. 
 
 fe- 
 
146 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE STAR AND THE WATER-LILY. 
 
 J'YXHE Sun stepped down from his golden throne, 
 
 ^ And lay in the silent sea, 
 And the Lily had folded her satin leaves, 
 
 For a sleepy thing was she : 
 What is the Lily dreaming of? 
 
 Why crisp the waters blue ? 
 Sue, see, she is lifting her varnished lid ! 
 
 Her white leaves are glistening through ! 
 
 The Rose is cooling his burning cheek 
 
 In the lap of the breathless tide ; 
 The Lily hath sisters fresh and fair, 
 
 That would lie by the Rose's side : 
 He would love her better than all the rest ; 
 
 And he would be fond and true ; 
 But the Lily unfolded her weary lids, 
 
 And looked at the sky so blue. 
 
 " Remember, remember, thou silly one. 
 
 How fast will thy Summer glide, 
 And wilt thou wither a virgin pale, 
 
 (Jr flourish a blooming bride ? " 
 " Oh, the Rose is old, and thorny and cold. 
 
 And he li\ es on earth," said she ; 
 " But the Star is fair, and he lives in the air, 
 
 And he shall my bridegroom be." 
 
 " But what if the stormy cloud should come, 
 And ruffle the silver sea? 
 
^- ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 147 
 
 Would he turn his eye from the distant sky, 
 
 To smile on a thing like thee ? 
 Oh no, fair Lily, he will not send 
 
 One ray froai his far-off throne ;■. 
 The winds shall blow and the waves shall flow. 
 
 And thou wilt be left alone. 
 
 " There is not a leaf on the mountain-top, 
 
 Nor a drop of evening dew, 
 Nor a golden sand on the sparkling shore. 
 
 Nor a pearl in the waters blue. 
 That he has not cheered by his fickle smile, 
 
 And warmed with his faithless beam — 
 And will he be true to a pallid flower, 
 
 That floats on the quiet stream ?" 
 
 Alas for the I^ily ! she would not heed. 
 
 But turned to the skies afar, 
 And bared her breast to the trembling ray 
 
 That shot from the rising star. 
 The cloud came over the darkened sky. 
 
 And over the waters wide ; 
 She looked in vain through the beating rain. 
 
 And sank in the stormy tide. 
 
 0. W. flohncs. 
 
 U^- 
 
 r-'i 
 
^ 
 
 iiS 
 
 Floral Poefrv. 
 
 -M^ 
 
 MYRTLE OFFERING. 
 
 Jtjumn to UmuB. 
 
 ODDESS ! I do love a girl 
 Ruby-lipt, and toothed with pearl ? 
 If so be I may but prove 
 r Lucky in this Maid I love ; 
 I will promise there shall be 
 Myrtles offered up to Thee. 
 
 THE MYRTLE BOUGH. 
 
 STILL green, along our sunny shore 
 The flowering Myrtle waves, 
 As when its fragrant boughs of yore 
 
 Were offered on the graves — 
 The graves, wherein our mighty men 
 Had rest, unviolated then. 
 
 ILrriJ.-. 
 
 'kt. 
 
 Still green it waves ! as when the hearth 
 
 Was sacred through the land ; 
 And fearless was the banquet's mirth, 
 
 And free the minstrel's hand ; 
 And guests, with shining M\rtle crowned, 
 Sent the wreathed lyre and wine-cup round. 
 
 Still green ! as when on holy ground 
 The tyrant's blood was poured : 
 
 Forget ye not what garlands bound 
 The young deliverer's sword ! 
 
 Though earth may shroud Harmodius now, 
 
 We still have sword and Myrtle bough ! 
 
 M)-^. H,'fJ!(UL\ 
 
 
^- 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 ^ 
 
 149 
 
 TO THE NARCISSUS. 
 
 RISE, and speak thy sorrows, Echo, rise ; 
 Here, by this fountain, where thy love did pine. 
 Whose memory lives fresh to vulgar fame, 
 Shrined in this yellow flower, that bears his name 
 
 ECHO. 
 
 His name revives and lifts me up from earth ; — 
 
 See, see, the mourning fount, whose springs weep yet 
 
 Th' untimely fate of that too beauteous boy. 
 
 That trophy of self-love, and spoil of nature. 
 
 Who (now transformed into this drooping flower) 
 
 Hangs the repentant head back from the stream ; 
 
 As if it wished — would I had never looked 
 
 In such a flattering mirror ! Oh, Narcissus ! 
 
 Thou that was once (and yet art) my Narcissus. 
 
 Had Echo but been private with thy thoughts, 
 
 She would have drojjt away herself in tears. 
 
 Till she had all turned waste, that in her 
 
 (As in a true glass) thou might'st have gazed, 
 
 And seen thy beauties by more kind reflection. 
 
 But self-love never yet could look on truth. 
 
 But with bleared beams ; slick flattery and she 
 
 Are twin-born sisters, and do mix their eyes. 
 
 As if you sever one, the other dies. 
 
 Why did the gods give thee a heavenly form. 
 
 And earthly thoughts to make thee proud of it ? 
 
 Why do I ask? 'Tis now the known disease 
 
 That Beauty hath, to bear too deep a sense 
 
 Of her own self-conceivfed excellence. 
 
 '^■ 
 
 ^ 
 
 <i 
 
^— ^ 
 
 '5° Flo7'al Poetry. 
 
 Oh ! hadst thou known the worth of Heaven's rich gift, 
 Thou would'st have turned it to a truer use, 
 And not (with starved and covetous ignorance) 
 Pined in continual eyeing that bright gem. 
 The glance whereof to others had been more 
 Than to thy famished mind the wide world's store. 
 
 Ben Jonson. 
 
 THE NARCISSUS. 
 
 Y Y ERE young Narcissus o'er the fountain stood, 
 ^ ^ And viewed his image in the crystal flood ; 
 The crystal flood reflects his lovely charms. 
 And the pleased image strives to meet his arms. 
 No nymph his inexperienced breast subdued. 
 Echo in vain the flying boy pursued. 
 Himself alone the foolish youth admires. 
 And with fond look the smiling shade desires ; 
 O'er the smooth lake with fruitless tears he grieves ; 
 His spreading fingers shoot in verdant leaves ; 
 Through his pale veins green sap now gently flows. 
 And in a short-lived flower his beauty blows. 
 Let vain Narcissus warn each female breast. 
 That beauty 's but a transient good at best ; 
 Like flowers it withers with the advancing year, 
 And age, like ^\'inter, robs the blooming fair. 
 
 Gay. 
 
Floral Poetry. 151 
 
 THE NARCISSUS. 
 
 ^QJHAT first inspired a bard of old to sing 
 
 Narcissus pining o'er the untainted spring? 
 In some delicious ramble he had found 
 A little space, with boughs all woven round ; 
 And in the midst of all a clearer pool 
 Than e'er reflected in its pleasant cool 
 The blue sky, here and there serenely peeping. 
 Through tendril wreaths fantastically creeping ; 
 And on the bank a lonely flower he spied, 
 A meek and forlorn flower, with nought of pride. 
 Drooping its beauty o'er the watery clearness, 
 To woo its own sad image into nearness ; 
 Deaf to light Zephyrus it would not move. 
 But still would seem to droop, to pine, to love. 
 So while the poet stood in this sweet spot, 
 Some fainter gleamings o'er his fancy shot ; 
 Nor was it long ere he had told the tale 
 Of young Narcissus, and sad Echo's vale. 
 
 Keats. 
 
 U^- 
 
 ^3 
 
152 Floral Poetry. 
 
 -K^ 
 
 THE NIGHTINGALE FLOWER. 
 
 Y?CAIR flower of silent night ! 
 X Unto thy bard an emblem thou should'st be 
 His fount of song in hours of garish light 
 Is closed, like thee. 
 
 But with the vesper hour 
 Silence and solitude its depths unseal ; 
 
 Its hidden springs, like thy unfolding flower. 
 Their life reveal. 
 
 Were it not sweeter still 
 To give imagination holier scope 
 
 And deem that thus the future may fulfil 
 A loftier hope ? 
 
 That as thy lovely bloom 
 Sheds round its perfume at the close of day, 
 With beauty sweeter from surrounding gloom, 
 A star-like ray ; — 
 
 So in life's dark decline, 
 A\'hen the grave's shadows are around me cast. 
 My spirit's hopes may like thy blossoms shine, 
 Bright at the last ! 
 
 And as the grateful scent 
 Of thy meek flower, the memory of my name ; 
 Oh ! who could wish for prouder monument, 
 Or purer fame ? 
 
 The darkness of the grave 
 ^Vould wear no gloom appalling to the sight. 
 
 Might hope's fair blossom, like thy floweret, bra\e 
 Death's wintry night ; 
 
 % ^ 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 153 
 
 Knowing the dawn drew nigh 
 
 Of an eternal, though a sunless day, 
 
 Whose glorious flowers must bloom immortally, 
 
 Nor fear decay ! 
 
 Bernard Barton. 
 
 THE NIGHTSHADE. 
 
 TREAD aside from my starry bloom ! 
 I am the nurse who feeds the tomb 
 (The tomb, my child), 
 With dainties piled. 
 Until it grows strong as a tempest wild. 
 
 Trample not on a virgin flower ! 
 
 I am the maid of the midnight hour; 
 
 I bear sweet sleep 
 
 To those who weep, 
 And lie on their eyelids dark and deep. 
 
 Tread not thou on my snaky eyes ! 
 I am the worm that the weary prize, 
 
 The Nile's soft asp. 
 
 That they strive to grasp, 
 And one that a queen has loved to clasp ! 
 
 Pity me ! I am she whom man 
 
 Hath hated since ever the world began ; 
 
 I soothe his brain. 
 
 In the night of pain. 
 But at morning he waketh — and all is in vain. 
 
 Barry Corntvall. 
 
 i^- 
 
^ 
 
 154 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 -^ 
 
 THE ORANGE BOUGH. 
 
 H ! bring me one sweet Orange bough, 
 To fan my cheek, to cool my brow ; 
 One bough, with pearly blossoms drest, 
 ^®T®'a' -^rid bind it, mother, on my breast ! 
 
 Go, seek the grove along the shore, 
 Whose odours I must breathe no more — 
 The grove where every scented tree 
 Thrills to the deep voice of the sea. 
 
 Oh ! Love's fond sighs, and fervent prayer. 
 And wild farewell, are lingering there ; 
 Each leaf's light whisper hath a tone 
 My faint heart, even in death, would own. 
 
 Then bear me thence one bough, to shed 
 Life's parting sweetness round my head, 
 And bind it, mother, on my breast, 
 When I am laid in lonely rest. 
 
 Mr^. I/cmans. 
 
 ^»lfe 
 
 ^- 
 
Floral Poetry. 155 
 
 TO THE PASSION-FLOWER. 
 
 F Superstition's baneful art 
 
 First gave thy mystic name, 
 Reason, I trust, would steel my heart. 
 Against its groundless claim. 
 
 But if, in fancy's pensive hour. 
 
 By grateful feelings stirred. 
 Her fond imaginative power 
 
 That name at first conferred — 
 
 Though lightly truth her flights may prize. 
 
 By wild vagary driven. 
 For once their blameless exercise 
 
 May surely be forgiven. 
 
 We roam the seas — give new-found isles 
 
 Some king's or conqueror's name : 
 We rear on earth triumphant piles 
 
 As meeds of earthly fame : — 
 
 We soar to heaven ; and to outlive 
 
 Our life's contracted span, 
 Unto the glorious stars we give 
 
 The names of mortal man : 
 
 Then may not one poor floweret's bloom 
 
 The holier memory share 
 Of Him who, to avert our doom, 
 
 Vouchsafed our sins to bear? 
 
 M^ ^ 
 
156 Floral Poetry. 
 
 God dwelleth not in temples reared 
 
 By work of human hands, 
 Yet shrines august, by men revered, 
 
 Arc found in Christian lands. 
 
 And may not e'en a simple flower 
 
 Proclaim His glorious praise, 
 ^\'hose fiat only had the power 
 
 Its form from earth to raise ? 
 
 Then freely let thy blossom ope 
 
 its beauties — to recall 
 A scene which bids the humble hope 
 
 In Him who died for all ! 
 
 Bernard Barton. 
 
 PRIDE AND THE POPPIES. 
 
 " 19/ -^ X\VA& Red-caps are among the Corn, 
 " * Merrily dancing at early morn ; 
 We know that the Farmer hates to see 
 Our saucy red faces, but here are we ! 
 
 " We pay no price for our Summer coats. 
 Like those slavish creatures. Barley and Oats ; 
 A\'e don't choose to be ground and eat 
 Like our heavy-head neighbour, Gaffer Wheat. 
 
 " Who dare thrash u,s, we should like to know ? 
 Grind us, and bag us, and use us so? 
 Let meaner and shabbier things than we 
 So stupidly bend to utility !" I 
 
^- 
 
 Floral Poetry. 157 
 
 So said little Red-cap, and all the rout 
 Of the Poppy clan set up a mighty shout ; 
 Mighty for them, but, if you had heard, 
 You had thought it the cry of a tiny bird. ' 
 
 So the Poppy-folk flaunted it over the field ; 
 In pride of grandeur they nodded and reeled, 
 And shook out their jackets, till nought was seen 
 But a wide, wide shimmer of scarlet and green. 
 
 The Blue-bottle sat on her downy stalk, 
 
 Quietly smiling at all their talk ; 
 
 The Marigold still spread her rays to the sun. 
 
 And the purple Vetch climbed up to peep at the fun. 
 
 The homely Corn-cockle cared nothing, not she, 
 For the arrogance, bluster, and poor vanity 
 Of the proud Poppy-tribe, but she flourished and grew, 
 Content with herself and her plain purple hue. 
 
 The sun went down, and rose bright on the morrow, 
 To some bringing Joy, and to others e'en sorrow, 
 But blithe was the rich rosy Farmer that morn 
 When he went with his reapers among the corn. 
 
 He trotted along, and he cracked his joke. 
 And chatted and laughed with the harvest-folk ; 
 For the weather was settled, barometer high. 
 And heavy crops gladdened his practised eye. 
 
 -^ 
 
^;5 
 
 158 Floral Poetry. 
 
 "We'll cut this Barley to-day," quoth he, 
 As he tied his white pony under a tree, 
 "Next the upland Wlieat, and then the Oats;'' 
 How the Poppies shook in their scarlet coats ! 
 
 Ay, shook with laughter, not fear, for they 
 Never dreamed they too should be swept away, 
 And their laughter was spite, to think that all 
 Their "useful" neighbours were doomed to fall. 
 
 They swelled and bustled with such an air, 
 The corn-fields quite in commotion were, 
 And the Farmer cried, glancing across the grain, 
 " How these rascally weeds have come up again ! " 
 
 " Ha ! ha !" laughed the Red-caps, " Ha ! ha ! what a fu^s 
 Must the poor weeds be in! how they're envying us!" 
 But their mirth was cut short by the sturdy strokes 
 They speedily met from the harvest-folks. 
 
 And when low on earth each stem was laid. 
 And the round moon looked on the havoc made, 
 A Blue-bottle propped herself half erect, 
 And made a short speech — to this effect : — 
 
 " My dying kins-flowers, and fainting friends, 
 The same dire fate alike attends 
 Those who in scarlet or blue are dressed. 
 Then how silly the pride that so late possessed 
 
 ^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 159 
 
 " Oar friends the Red-caps ! how low they lie 
 Who were lately so pert, so vain, ■ and high ! 
 They sneered at us and our plain array ; 
 Are we now a whit more humble than they ? 
 
 " They scorned our neighbours :-r-the goodly Corn 
 \^'as the butt of their merriment eve and morn, 
 They lived on its land, from its bounty fed. 
 But a word of thanks they never have said. 
 
 " And which is the worthiest now, I pray ? 
 Have ye not learned enough to-day ? 
 Is not the Corn sheafed up with care. 
 And are not the Poppies left dying there ? 
 
 " The Corn will be carried, and garnered up 
 To gladden man's heart both with loaf and cup 
 And some of the seed the land' now yields 
 Will be brought again to its native fields, 
 
 '' And grow, and ripen, and wave next year 
 As richly as this hath ripened here ; 
 And we poor weeds, though needed not, 
 Perchance may spring up on this very spot. 
 
 " But let us be thankful, and humble too ; 
 Not proud ' and vain of a gaudy hue ; 
 Ever remembering, though meanly drest. 
 That USEFULNESS is of all gifts the best." 
 
 L. A. Twamley. 
 
 &■ ^ %. 
 
1 60 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO PRIMROSES 
 
 KILLED \\- I T H MORNING DEW. 
 
 WHY do ye weep, sweet babes? Can tears 
 Speak grief in you, 
 Who were but born 
 Just as the modest morn 
 Teemed her refreshing dew? 
 Alas ! ye have not known that shower 
 That mars a flower ; 
 Nor felt the unkind 
 Breath of a blasting wind ; 
 Nor are ye worn with years ; 
 Or warped as we, 
 Who think it strange to see 
 Such pretty flowers, like to orphans young. 
 Speaking by tears before ye have a tongue. 
 
 Speak, whimpering younglings, and make known 
 The reason why 
 
 Ye droop and weep. 
 Is it for want of sleep, 
 Or childish lullaby? 
 Or that ye have not seen as yet 
 The A'lolet? 
 
 < )r brought a kiss 
 From that sweetheart to this ? 
 No, no ; this sorrow shown 
 By your tears shed, 
 Would have this lecture read ; 
 That things of greatest, so of meanest worth, 
 Conceived with grief are, and with tears brought forth. 
 
 Hen-ick. 
 
 
Floral Poetry. i6i 
 
 PRIMROSE. 
 
 Eatlg foutfj. 
 
 M 
 
 Y dearest, mark how green the groves, 
 The Primrose banks how fair ! 
 
 The balmy gales awake the flowers, 
 And wave thy lovely hair. 
 
 These wild-wood flowers I've pulled to deck 
 That spotless breast of thine ; 
 
 The courtier's gems may witness love, 
 But 'tis not love like mine ! 
 
 Biirns. 
 
 TO A PRIMROSE. 
 
 InJELCOME, pale Primrose starting up between 
 " * Dead matted leaves of Oak and Ash, that strew 
 
 The every lawn, the wood and meadow through, 
 'Mid creeping Moss and Ivy's darker green. 
 
 How much thy presence beautifies the ground ! 
 How sweet thy modest unaff'ected pride 
 Glows on the sunny bank and wood's warm side ! 
 
 And where thy fairy flowers in groups are found. 
 The school-boy roams enchantedly along. 
 
 Plucking the fairest with a rude delight ; 
 While the meek shepherd stays his simple song 
 
 To gaze a moment on the pleasing sight, 
 O'erjoyed to see the flowers that truly bring 
 The welcome news of sweet returning Spring. 
 
 Clare. 
 
162 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO AN EARLY PRIMROSE. 
 
 ]Mf ILD offspring of a dark and sullen sire ! 
 AUA Whose modest form, so delicately fine, 
 
 A\'as nursed in whirling storms. 
 
 And cradled in the wind. 
 
 Thee, when young Spring first questioned Winter's sway, 
 And dared the sturdy blusterer to the fight— 
 
 Thee on this bank he threw. 
 
 To mark his victory. 
 
 In this low vale, the promise of the year, 
 Serene thou openest to the nipping gale. 
 
 Unnoticed and alone. 
 
 Thy tender elegance. 
 
 So virtue blooms, brought forth amid the storms 
 Of chill adversity, in some lone walk 
 
 Of life she rears her head. 
 
 Obscure and unobserved ; 
 
 While every bleaching breeze that on her blows, 
 Chastens her spotless purity of breast. 
 And hardens her to bear 
 
 Serene the ills of life. 
 
 //. K. White. 
 
 ^- 
 
 ■% 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 163 
 
 THE PRIMROSE. 
 
 jnn.HE Sun declines ; his parting ray 
 * Shall bear the cheerful light away, 
 
 And on the landscape close ; 
 Then will I seek the lonely vale, 
 Where sober evening's Primrose pale 
 
 To greet the night-star blows. 
 
 Soft, melancholy bloom, to thee 
 I turn with conscious sympathy ! 
 
 Like thee my hour is come, 
 When lengthening shadows slowly fade, 
 Till, lost in universal shade, 
 
 They sink beneath the tomb. 
 
 By thee I'll sit and inly muse ; 
 What are the charms in life we lose 
 
 When time demands our breath? 
 Alas \ the load of lengthened age 
 Has little can our wish engage, 
 
 Or point the shaft of death. 
 
 No ; 'tis alone the pang to part 
 
 With those we love that rends the heart ; 
 
 That agony to save, 
 Some nameless cause in nature strives. 
 Like thee, in shades our hope revives. 
 
 And blossoms in the grave. 
 
 Mrs. Hiinlcr. 
 
 Wr ^ 
 
^ 
 
 / 
 
 164 Flo7'al Poetry. 
 
 THE PRIMROSE. 
 
 Y SAW it in my evening walk 
 ^ A little lonely flower — 
 Under a hollow bank it grew 
 Deep in a mossy bower. 
 
 An Oak's gnarled root, to roof the cave, 
 With Gothic fret-work sprung, 
 
 A\'here jewelled Fern, and Arum leaves, 
 And Ivy garlands hung. 
 
 And close beneath came sparkling out. 
 From an old tree's fallen shell, 
 
 A little rill, that dipt about 
 The lady in her cell. 
 
 And there, methought, with bashful pride, 
 
 She seemed to sit and look 
 On her own maiden loveliness 
 
 Pale imaged in the brook. 
 
 No other flower, no rival grew 
 
 Beside my pensive maid. 
 She dwelt alone, a cloistered nun, 
 
 In solitude and shade. 
 
 No sunbeam on that fairy pool 
 
 Darted its dazzling light — 
 Only, methought, some clear, cold star 
 
 Might tremble there at night. 
 
 
Flor'al Poetry. 165 
 
 No ruffling wind could reach her there — 
 
 No eye, methought, but mine, 
 Or the young lambs' that came to drink, 
 
 Had spied her secret shrine. 
 
 And there was pleasantness to me 
 
 In such belief — cold eyes 
 That slight dear nature's loveliness, 
 
 Profane her mysteries. 
 
 Long time I looked, and lingered there, 
 
 Absorbed in still delight. 
 My spirits drank deep quietness 
 
 In with that quiet sight. 
 
 Caroline SoiUhey. 
 
 PRIMROSE. 
 
 11 SK me why I send you here 
 ^ *•■ This firstling of the infant year ; 
 Ask me why I send to you 
 This Primrose all bepearled with dew ; 
 I straight will whisper in your ears, 
 The sweets of love are washed with tears. 
 
 Ask me why this Flower doth show 
 So yellow, green, and sickly too ; 
 Ask me why the stalk is weak, 
 And bending, yet it doth not break; 
 I must tell you, these discover 
 What doubts and fears are in a lover. 
 
 Thomas CniLiu. 
 
 i^- 
 
Pr- ^ 
 
 1 66 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE PRIMROSE OF THE ROCK. 
 
 A ROCK there is whose lonely front 
 The passing traveller slights ; 
 Yet there the glow-worms hang their lamps, 
 
 Like stars, at various heights ; 
 And one coy Primrose to that rock 
 The vernal breeze invites. 
 
 What hideous warfare hath been waged. 
 
 What kingdoms overthrown. 
 Since first I spied that Primrose tuft 
 
 And marked it for my own ; 
 A lasting link in nature's chain 
 
 From highest heaven let down. 
 
 The flowers, still faithful to the stems. 
 
 Their fellowship renew ; 
 The stems are faithful to the root. 
 
 That worketh out of view ; 
 And to the rock the root adheres 
 . In every fibre true. 
 
 Close clings to earth the living rock, 
 Though threatening still to fall ; 
 
 The earth is constant to her sphere ; 
 And God upholds them all : 
 
 So blooms this lonely plant, nor dreads 
 Her annual funeral. 
 
 Here closed the meditative strain ; 
 But air breathed soft that dav, 
 
 ^^ ^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 167 
 
 The hoary mountain-heights were cheered, 
 
 The sunny vale looked gay; 
 And to the Primrose of the rock 
 
 I gave this after-lay. 
 
 I sang — Let myriads of bright flowers, 
 
 Like thee, in field and grove. 
 Revive unenvied ; — mightier far, 
 
 Than tremblings that reprove 
 Our vernal tendencies to hope. 
 
 Is God's redeeming love ; 
 
 That love which changed — for wan disease, 
 
 For sorrow that had bent. 
 O'er hopeless dust, for withered age — ■ 
 
 Their mortal element. 
 And turned the thistles of a curse 
 
 To types beneficent. 
 
 Sin-blighted though we are, we too, 
 
 The reasoning Sons of Men, 
 From our oblivious Winter called. 
 
 Shall rise, and breathe again; 
 And in eternal Summer lose 
 
 Our threescore years and ten. 
 
 To humbleness of heart descends 
 
 This prescience from on high. 
 The faith that elevates the just. 
 
 Before and when they die ; 
 And makes each soul a separate heaven, 
 
 A court for Deity. 
 
 Wordsworth. 
 
 kr ^ 
 
1 68 ■ Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO THE PRIMROSE. 
 
 YT^ALE visitant of balmy Spring, 
 
 * Joy of tlie new-born year, 
 
 That bidd'st young hope new-plume his wing, 
 
 Soon as thy buds appear : 
 While o'er the incense-breathing sky 
 The tepid hours first dare to fly, 
 
 And vainly woo the chilling breeze 
 That, bred in Winter's frozen lap. 
 Still struggling chains the lingering sap 
 Within the widowed trees. 
 
 Remote iVom towns, thy transient life 
 
 Is spent in skies more pure ; 
 The suburb smoke, the seat of strife. 
 
 Thou canst but ill endure. 
 Coy rustic ! thou art blooming found 
 Where artless nature's charms abound. 
 
 Sweet neighbour of the chanter rill ; 
 Well pleased to sip the silvery tide. 
 Or nodding o'er the fountain's side, 
 
 Self-gazing, look thy fill ; 
 
 Or, on the dingle's shadowy steep. 
 
 The gaudy Furze beneath. 
 Thy modest beauties sweetly peep. 
 
 Thy chaster odours breathe. 
 
 fen 4i 
 
Floral Poetry. 169 
 
 From luxury we turn aside, 
 
 From wealth and ostentatious pride, 
 
 With many an emblematic thorn. 
 Thy humbler mien well pleased to meet ; 
 Like competence in blest retreat, 
 
 Thy smiles the Spring adorn. 
 
 What though thou boast no splendid hue 
 
 Of Flora's prouder race? 
 To me more fair art thou to view. 
 
 In all thy simple grace : 
 Thine innocence and beauty meek, 
 More like my Celestina's cheek. 
 
 Where all the modest virtues play ; 
 Expression beaming from her eye, 
 In cherub smiles of chastity, 
 
 With mild and tempered ray. 
 
 Yet treasures lurk within thy lips, 
 
 To glad the spoiler bee. 
 Who not with idle errand sips, 
 
 Or wanton vagrancy. 
 Ah ! blest is he who temperance tries. 
 Simplicity above disguise. 
 
 And shuns the falser gloss of art ; 
 'Tis he extracts a bliss refined. 
 Congenial to the virtuous mind, 
 
 The tender feeling heart. 
 

 170 Floral Poetry. 
 
 Thy smiles young innocence invite, 
 
 What time thy lids awake, 
 In shadowy lane to taste delight. 
 
 Or mazy, tangled brake. 
 The infant troop of rosy hue. 
 And gay with health, I seem to view. 
 
 While pleasure lights their laughing eyes ; 
 With little hands a wreath combine. 
 Their fugitive delights entwine, 
 
 And boast their fragrant prize. 
 
 Ah ! happy breasts, unknown to pain, 
 
 I would not spoil your joys ; 
 Nor vainly teach you to complain 
 
 Of life's delusive toys. 
 Be jocund still, still sport and smile. 
 Nor dream of woe or future guile ; 
 
 For soon shall ye, awakened, find 
 The joys of life's sad thorny way 
 But fading flowerets of a day. 
 
 Cut down by every wind. 
 
 Bidlake. 
 
 THE PRIMROSE. 
 
 1#. 
 
 /YXHE milk-white blossoms of the Thorn 
 
 * Are waving o'er the pool. 
 Moved by the wind that breathes along. 
 So sweetly and so cool. 
 
Flo7'al Poetry. 171 
 
 The Hawthorn clusters bloom above, 
 
 The Primrose hides below, 
 And on the lonely passer-by 
 
 A modest glance doth throw ! 
 
 The humble Primrose' bonnie face 
 
 I meet it everywhere ; 
 Where other flowers disdain to bloom. 
 
 It comes and nestles there. 
 Like God's own light, on every place 
 
 In glory it doth fall ; 
 And where its dwelling-place is made 
 
 It straightway hallows all 1 
 
 The stars are sweet at eventide, 
 
 But cold, and far away ; 
 The clouds are soft in summer-time. 
 
 But all unstable they : 
 The Rose is rich — but pride of place 
 
 Is far too high for me ; 
 God's simple common things I love— 
 
 My Primrose, such as thee ! 
 
 I love the fireside of my home. 
 
 Because all sympathies, 
 The feelings fond of every day. 
 
 Around its circle rise. 
 And while admiring all the flowers 
 
 That summer suns can give. 
 Within my heart the Primrose sweet. 
 
 In lowly love doth live ! 
 
 Robert Nicoll. 
 
 ^—. ^ 
 
172 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE EVENING PRIMROSE. 
 
 Y?CAIR flower, that shunn'st the glare of day, 
 
 Yet lov'st to open, meekly bold, 
 To evening hues of sober grey, 
 Thy cup of paly gold ; 
 
 Be thine the offering, owing long. 
 To thee, and to this pensive hour. 
 
 Of the brief tributary song, 
 
 Though transient as thy flower. 
 
 I love to watch at silent eve 
 
 Thy scattered blossoms' lonely light ; 
 
 And have my inmost heart receive 
 The influence of that sight. 
 
 I love, at such an hour, to mark 
 Their beauty greet the light breeze chill. 
 
 And shine, 'mid shadows gathering dark. 
 The garden's glory still. 
 
 For such, 'tis sweet to think the while. 
 When cares and griefs the breast invade. 
 
 In friendship's animating smile, 
 In sorrow's dark'ning shade. 
 
Floral Poetry. 173 
 
 Thus it bursts forth Hke thy pale cup, 
 
 Glist'ning amid its dewy tears, 
 And bears the sinking spirit up. 
 
 Amid its chilling fears. 
 
 But still more animating far, 
 
 If meek religion's eye may trace, 
 Even in thy glimm'ring earth-born star. 
 
 The holier hope of grace ! 
 
 The hope that, as thy beauteous bloom 
 
 Expands to glad the close of day. 
 So through the shadows of the tomb 
 
 May break forth mercy's ray. 
 
 Bernard Barton. 
 
 fen ^ 
 
m* 
 
 174 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 f 
 
 ^^ 
 
 ROSE. 
 
 WILL not have the mad Clytie, 
 
 Whose head is turned by the sun ; 
 The Tuhp is a courtly quean, 
 
 Whom therefore I will shun ; 
 The Cowslip is a country wench, 
 The Violet is a nun ; — 
 But I will woo the dainty Rose, 
 The queen of every one. 
 
 The Pea is but a wanton witch, 
 
 In too much haste to wed, 
 And clasps her rings on every hand ; 
 
 The Wolfsbane I should dread; 
 Nor will I dreary Rosemarye, 
 
 That always mourns the dead ; — 
 But I will woo the dainty Rose, 
 
 With her cheeks of tender red. 
 
 The Lily is all in white, like a saint. 
 
 And so is no mate for me — 
 And the Daisy's cheek is tipped with a blush. 
 
 She is of such low degree ; 
 Jasmine is sweet, and has many loves. 
 
 And the Broom 's betrothed to the Bee ; — 
 But I will plight with the dainty Rose, 
 
 For fairest of all is she ! 
 
 Hood. 
 
 ^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 175 
 
 TH E ROSE. 
 
 (\ O, lovely Rose ! 
 
 ^^ Tell her that wastes her time and me, 
 
 That now she knows, 
 When I resemble her to thee, 
 How sweet and fair she seems to be. 
 
 Tell her that's young 
 And shuns to have her graces spied. 
 
 That hadst thou sprung 
 In deserts where no men abide, 
 Thou must have uncommended died. 
 
 Small is the worth 
 Of beauty from the light retired ; 
 
 Bid her come forth. 
 Suffer herself to be desired, 
 And not blush so to be admired. 
 
 Then die, that she 
 The common fate of all things rare 
 
 May read in thee; 
 How small a part of time they share 
 That are so wondrous sweet and fair. 
 
 Yet, though thou fade, 
 From thy dead leaves let fragrance rise ; 
 
 And teach the maid 
 That goodness Time's rude hand defies ; 
 That virtue lives when beauty dies. 
 
 Wallei: 
 
 U^- 
 
pr ^ '^ 
 
 176 Floral Poehy. 
 
 THE LESSON OF A ROSE. 
 
 AH ! see, whose fayre thing dost faine to see, 
 . In springing flowre the image of the day ! 
 Ah ! see the virgin Rose, how sweetly shee 
 Doth first peepe forth with blushful modestee, 
 That fairer seems the lesse ye see her May ! 
 Lo ! see soone after how, more bold and free. 
 Her bared bosome she doth broad display : 
 IjO ! see soon after how she fades and falls away ! 
 
 So passeth, in the passing of a day 
 Of mortal life, the leafe, the bud, the flowre ; 
 No more doth flourish, after first decay. 
 That earst was sought to deck both bed and bowre 
 Of many a lady and many a paramoure ! 
 Gather therefore the Rose whilest yet is prime, 
 For soon comes age that will her pride deflowre ; 
 Gather the Rose of love whilest yet is time, 
 Whilest loveing thou mayest loved be with equall crime. 
 
 Spejisci'. 
 
 THE ROSE. 
 
 Of all flowers, 
 Methinks a Rose is best . 
 It is the very emblem of a maid ; 
 For when the west wind courts her gently. 
 How modestly she blows, and paints the sun 
 With her chaste blushes ! When the north comes near her. 
 Rude and impatient, then, like chastity. 
 She locks her beauties in her bud again. 
 And leaves him to base briers. 
 
 Bmiimoni and Fletcher. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 177 
 
 THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER. 
 
 TIS the last Rose of Summer 
 Left blooming alone, 
 All her lovely companions 
 
 Are faded and gone ; 
 No flower of her kindred, 
 
 No Rosebud is nigh, 
 To reflect back her blushes 
 And give sigh for sigh. 
 
 I'll not leave thee, thou lone one. 
 
 To pine on the stem ; 
 Since the lovely are sleeping, 
 
 Go sleep thou with them. 
 Thus kindly I scatter 
 
 Thy leaves o'er the bed. 
 Where thy mates of the garden 
 
 Lie senseless and dead. 
 
 So soon may I follow 
 
 When friendships decay. 
 And from love's shining circle 
 
 The gems drop away. 
 When true hearts lie withered, 
 
 And fond ones are flown, 
 Oh ! who would inhabit 
 
 This cold world alone ? 
 
 Moore 
 
 fe ^ 
 
pr "f 
 
 178 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE ROSES, 
 
 Y SAW them once blowing, 
 
 ^ While morning was glowing ; 
 But now are their withered leaves strewed o'er the ground, 
 
 For tempests to play on, 
 
 For cold worms to prey on. 
 The shame of the garden that triumphs around. 
 
 Their buds which then flourished, 
 
 With dew-drops were nourished, 
 Which turned into pearls as they fell from on high ; 
 
 Their hues are all banished. 
 
 Their fragrance all vanished. 
 Ere evening a shadow has cast from the sky. 
 
 I saw, too, whole races 
 
 Of glories and graces 
 Thus open and blossom, but quickly decay ; 
 
 And smiling and gladness, 
 
 In sorrow and sadness. 
 Ere life reached its twilight, fade dimly away. 
 
 Joy's light-hearted dances. 
 
 And melody's glances, 
 Are rays of a moment — are dying when born ; 
 
 And pleasure's best dower 
 
 Is nought but a flower, 
 A vanishing dew-drop — a gem of the morn. 
 
 %^ ^ 
 
 ^5 
 
Floral Poetry. 179 
 
 The bright eye is clouded, 
 
 Its brilliancy shrouded, 
 Our strength disappears, we are helpless and lone ; 
 
 No reason avails us, 
 
 And intellect fails us; 
 Life's spirit is wasted, and darkness comes on. 
 
 Bowring. 
 
 A RED, RED ROSE. 
 
 /\ MY luve's like a red, red Rose, 
 ^^ That's newly sprung in June : 
 
 my luve's like the melodie 
 That's sweetly played in tune. 
 
 As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, 
 
 So deep in luve am I : 
 And I will luve thee still, my dear. 
 
 Till a' the seas gang dry. 
 
 Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear. 
 And the rocks melt wi' the sun : 
 
 1 will luve thee still, my dear. 
 While the sands o' life shall run. 
 
 And fare thee weel, my only luve ! 
 
 And fare thee weel awhile ! 
 And I will come again, my luve. 
 
 Though it were ten thousand mile. 
 
 Burns. 
 
I So Floral Poetry. 
 
 A SONG OF THE ROSE. 
 
 ROSE ! what dost thou here ? 
 Bridal, royal Rose ! 
 How, 'midst grief and fear, 
 Canst thou thus disclose 
 That fervid hue of love which to thy heart-leaf glows ? 
 
 Rose ! too much arrayed 
 
 For triumphal hours, 
 Look'st thou through the shade 
 
 Of these mortal bowers. 
 Not to disturb my soul, thou crowned one of all flowers 
 
 As an eagle soaring 
 
 Through a sunny sky, 
 As a clarion pouring 
 
 Notes of victory. 
 So dost i/iou kindle thoughts, for earthly life too high — 
 
 Thoughts of rapture, flushing 
 
 Youthful poet's cheek. 
 Thoughts of glory rushing 
 
 Forth in song to break, 
 But finding the spring-tide of rapid song too weak. 
 
 Yet, oh ! festal Rose, 
 
 I have seen thee lying 
 In thy bright repose 
 
 Pillowed with the dying, 
 T/iy crimson by the life's quick blood was flying. 
 
 ^- 
 
^ '^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. i8i 
 
 Summer, hope, and love. 
 
 O'er that bed of pain, 
 Meet in thee, yet wove 
 
 Too, too frail a claim 
 In its embracing links the lovely to detain. 
 
 Smil'st thou, gorgeous flower? — 
 
 Oh ! within the spells 
 Of thy beauty's power 
 
 Something dimly dwells. 
 At variance with a world of sorrows and farewells. 
 
 All the soul forth flowing 
 
 In that rich perfume. 
 All the proud life glowing 
 
 In that radiant bloom. 
 Have they no place but here, beneath the o'ershadowing tomb? 
 
 Crown'st thou but the daughters 
 
 Of our tearful race ? — 
 Heaven's own purest waters 
 
 Well might bear the trace 
 Of thy consummate form, melting to softer grace. 
 
 Will that clime enfold thee 
 
 With immortal air? — 
 Shall we not behold thee 
 
 Bright and deathless there ? 
 In spirit-lustre clothed, transcendently more fair? 
 
 Yes ! my fancy sees thee 
 
 In that light disclose. 
 And its dream thus frees thee 
 
 From the mist of woes. 
 Darkening thine earthly bowers, O bridal, royal Rose ! 
 
 Mrs. Hemans. 
 
182 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE ROSE AND THE GAUNTLET. 
 
 LOW spake the Knight to the peasant girl, 
 " I tell thee sooth — I am belted Earl ; 
 Fly with me from this garden small, 
 And thou shall sit in my castle's hall. 
 
 ' Thou shalt have pomp, and wealth, and pleasure, 
 Joys beyond thy fancy's measure ; 
 Here with my sword and horse I stand, 
 To bear thee away to my distant land. 
 
 ' Take, thou fairest ! this full-blown Rose, 
 A token of love that as ripely blows." 
 With his glove of steel he plucked the token, 
 But it fell from his gauntlet crushed and broken. 
 
 The maiden exclaimed — " Thou see'st, Sir Knight, 
 Thy fingers of iron can only smite ; 
 And, like the Rose thou hast torn and scattered, 
 I in thy grasp should be wrecked and shattered." 
 
 She trembled and blushed, and her glances fell ; 
 But she turned from the Knight, and said " Farewell ! 
 " Not so," he cried, " will I lose my prize ; 
 I heed not thy words, but I read thine eyes." 
 
 He lifted her up in his grasp of steel, 
 
 And he mounted and spurred with furious heel ; 
 
 But her cry drew forth her hoary sire, 
 
 Who snatched his bow from above the fire. 
 
 
 -^ 
 
^ "^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 183 
 
 Swift from the valley the warrior fled, 
 
 Swifter the bolt of the cross-bow sped ; 
 
 And the weight that pressed on the fleet-foot horse, 
 
 Was the living man, and the woman's corse. 
 
 That morning the Rose was bright of hue : 
 That morning the maiden was fair to view : 
 But the evening sun its beauty shed 
 On the withered leaves, and the maiden dead. 
 
 John Steiiing. 
 
 THOU VIRGIN ROSE. 
 
 The married are compared by the poet to the young Rose, which the 
 lover places in the bosom of his mistress, first stripped of thorns. 
 
 jnrXHOU virgin Rose ! whose opening leaves so fair, 
 
 * The dawn has nourished with her balmy dews, 
 While softest whispers of the morning air 
 
 Called forth the blushes of thy vermeil hues ; 
 
 That cautious hand, which cropt thy youthful pride. 
 Transplants thy honours, where, from hurt secure, 
 
 Stript of each thorn offensive to thy side, 
 Thy nobler part alone shall bloom mature. 
 
 Thus thou, a flower, exempt from change of skies, 
 By storms and torrents unassailed shall rise, 
 
 And scorn the Winter colds, and Summer heats; 
 
 A guard more faithful then thy growth shall tend, 
 By whom thou may'st in tranquil union blend 
 
 Eternal beauties with eternal sweets. 
 
 From Metastasio. 
 
 ^ 
 
184 Floral Poetry. 
 
 WORSHIP OF THE ROSE-TREE. 
 
 AUTHOR of beauty, spirit of power, 
 ' Thou who didst will that the Rose should be, 
 Here is the place, and this the hour 
 
 To seek thy presence, and bow to thee. 
 Bright is the world with the sun's first ray. 
 Cool is the dew on the soft, green sod ; 
 The Rose-tree blooms, while the birds sing praise. 
 And earth gives glory to nature's God. 
 
 Under this beautiful work of thine, 
 
 The flowery boughs that are bending o'er 
 The glistening turf, to thy will divine 
 
 I kneel, and its Maker and mine adore. 
 Thou art around us ; the robe of light 
 
 Touches the gracefully waving tree ; 
 Turning to jewels the tears of night. 
 
 And making the buds unfold to thee. 
 
 Thy name is marked in delicate lines. 
 
 On flower and leaf that deck the stem ; 
 Thy care is seen, and thy wisdom shines, 
 
 In even the thorn that is guarding them. 
 Now while the Rose that has burst her cup. 
 
 Opens her heart, and freely throws 
 To me her odours, I offer up 
 
 Thanks to the Being who made the Rose. 
 
 //. F. Gould. 
 
 i^- ^ 
 
Ci, 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 185 
 
 THE MOSS-ROSE. 
 
 MOSSY Rose on mossy stone, 
 Flowering 'mid the ruins lone, 
 I have learnt, beholding thee. 
 Youth and Age may well agree. 
 
 Baby germ of freshest hue, 
 Out of ruin issuing new ; 
 Moss a long laborious growth. 
 And one stalk supporting both. 
 
 Thus may still, while fades the past. 
 Life come forth again as fast ; 
 Happy if the relics sere 
 Deck a cradle, not a bier. 
 
 Tear the garb, the spirit flies. 
 And the heart, unsheltered, dies ; 
 Kill within the nursling flower, 
 Scarce the green survives an hour. 
 
 Ever thus together live. 
 And to man a lesson give ; 
 Moss the work of vanished years. 
 Rose, that but to-day appears. 
 
 Moss, that covers dateless tombs ; 
 Bud with early sweet that blooms ; 
 Childhood thus, in happy rest. 
 Lies on ancient Wisdom's breast. 
 
 Moss and Rose, and Age and Youth, 
 
 Flush and Verdure, Hope and Truth, 
 
 Yours be peace that knows not strife. 
 
 One the root and one the li''e. 
 
 John 
 
 ^ ■ ^ 4 
 
1 86 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE MOSS-ROSE. 
 
 J'YX.HE Rose arose in Sharon's vale, 
 
 ^ And bloomed in Eden beauteously ; 
 It drank the breath of southern gale ; 
 
 It proved the warmth of Summer skv ; 
 But o'er thy growth no Summer rose, 
 But drifted lay the untrodden snows. 
 
 The Rose of England, Rose of yore, 
 
 In lily and in crimson hue, 
 Its bloom was dipped in human gore, 
 
 And sullied were its leaves to view ; 
 But thou hast spread amidst the storm, 
 In stainless purity, thy form. 
 
 Sweet innocence ! by mercy fed. 
 
 With light and warmth, and shelter meet, 
 
 U'hilst Winter all his horrors sped 
 In drifted snow and driving sleet. 
 
 Thus have I seen in maiden form 
 
 A beauteous nursling of the storm. 
 
 Sweet purity ! no grosser breath 
 
 Of fervid winds and scorching skies, 
 Taught thee to spring from mother earth. 
 
 And 'midst impurities arise : 
 But thou hast sprung, a lovely thing, 
 Nor proved the genial breath of Spring. 
 
 fc ^ 
 
^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 187 
 
 Sweet messenger ! of triumph due 
 
 O'er death in all his Wintry pride ; 
 He cannot quench one living hue, 
 
 Which Heaven has destined to abide 
 Undimmed 'midst nature's dire decay, 
 To blossom in eternal day. 
 
 I'll fix thee here beside my heart 
 
 To calm its pulse and check its play. 
 To heal its wounds, and soothe its smart, 
 
 And chase each rankling thought away ; 
 For surely nought of earthly care 
 May mar its peace when thou art there. 
 
 Thomas Gillespie. 
 
 THE QUEEN OF THE GARDEN. 
 
 r 
 
 ' F Jove would give the leafy bowers 
 
 A queen for all their world of flowers. 
 
 The Rose would be the choice of Jove, 
 
 And reign the queen of every grove. 
 
 Sweetest child of weeping morning, 
 
 Gem, the vest of earth adorning. 
 
 Eye of flowerets, glow of lawns. 
 
 Bud of beauty, nursed by dawns ; 
 
 Soft the soul of love it breathes, 
 
 Cypria's brow with magic wreathes, 
 
 And to the Zephyr's warm caresses 
 
 Diffuses all its verdant tresses. 
 
 Till, glowing with the wanton's play, 
 
 It blushes a diviner ray ! 
 
 Moore. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
^ 
 
 :J15 
 
 1 88 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE ROSE. 
 
 Y UST like love is yonder Rose : — 
 Ca Heavenly fragrance round it throws, 
 Yet tears its dewy leaves disclose, 
 And in the midst of briers it blows ; 
 
 Just like love. 
 
 Culled to bloom upon the breast, 
 Since rough thorns the stem invest. 
 They must be gathered with the rest, 
 And with it to the heart be prest ; 
 
 Just like love. 
 
 And when rude hands the twin buds sever, 
 They die, and they shall blossom never ; 
 Yet the thorns be sharp as ever ; 
 
 Just like love. 
 
 From Canioens. 
 
 THE MOSS-ROSE. 
 
 THE Angel of the Flowers, one day, 
 Beneath a Rose-tree sleeping lay ; 
 That Spirit to whose charge 'tis given 
 To bathe young buds in dews of heaven ; — 
 Awaking from his light repose, 
 The Angel whispered to the Rose : 
 " O fondest object of my care, 
 Still fairest found, where all are fair ; 
 For the sweet shade thou giv'st to me, 
 Ask what thou wilt, 'tis granted thee!" 
 " Then," said the Rose, with deepened glow, 
 " On me another grace bestow." 
 
 d^, ^ ^ 
 
 itr< fj^ 
 
^- ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 189 
 
 The Spirit paused in silent thought, — 
 What grace was there that flower had not? 
 'Twas but a moment — o'er the Rose 
 A veil of moss the Angel throws, 
 And, robed in Nature's simplest weed, 
 Could there a flower that Rose exceed? 
 
 Anon. 
 
 THE WILD ROSE. 
 
 A BOY espied, in morning light, 
 A Httle Rosebud blowing; 
 'Twas so delicate and bright, 
 That he came to feast his sight, 
 
 And wonder at its growing. 
 Rosebud, Rosebud, Rosebud red. 
 Rosebud brightly blowing ! 
 
 I will gather thee — he cried — 
 
 Rosebud brightly blowing ! 
 Then I'll sting thee, it replied. 
 And you'll quickly start aside 
 
 With the prickly glowing. 
 Rosebud, Rosebud, Rosebud red. 
 
 Rosebud brightly blowing ! 
 
 But he plucked it from the plain. 
 
 The Rosebud brightly blowing ! 
 It turned and stung him, but in vain — 
 He regarded not the pain. 
 
 Homewards with it going. 
 Rosebud, Rosebud, Rosebud red. 
 
 Rosebud brightly blowing ! 
 
 Goethe. Translated by Theodore Martin. 
 
 kr^ ^ 
 
^ — ^ 
 
 190 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE ROSE-BUD. 
 
 XOJ^HEN nature tries her finest touch, 
 " " Waving her vernal wreath, 
 Mark ye how close she veils her round. 
 Not to be traced by sight or sound. 
 Nor soiled by ruder breath ? 
 
 Whoever saw the earliest Rose 
 First open her sweet breast ? 
 Or, when the Summer sun goes down, 
 The first soft star in evening's crown 
 Light up her gleaming crest ? 
 
 Fondly we seek the dawning bloom 
 On features wan and fair, — 
 
 The gazing eye no change can trace, 
 
 But look away a little space, 
 Then turn, and lo ! 'tis there. 
 
 But there's a sweeter flower than e'er 
 
 Blushed on the rosy spray — 
 A brighter star, a richer bloom, 
 Than e'er did western heaven illume 
 At close of Summer day. 
 
 'Tis love, the last best gift of heaven ; 
 
 Love gentle, holy, pure : 
 But tenderer than a dove's soft eye. 
 The searching sun, the open sky. 
 
 She never could endure. 
 
 fe^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 19 1 
 
 Even human love will shrink from sight 
 
 Here in the coarse, rude earth : 
 How then should rash intruding glance 
 Break in upon her sacred trance 
 
 Who boasts a heavenly- birth ? 
 
 So still and secret is her growth, 
 
 Ever the truest heart, 
 Where deepest strikes her kindly root 
 For hope or joy, for flower or fruit. 
 
 Least known its happy part. 
 
 God only, and good angels, look 
 
 Behind the blissful screen — 
 As when, _ triumphant o'er His woes, 
 The Son of God by moonlight rose, 
 
 By all but heaven unseen : 
 
 As when the Holy Maid beheld 
 
 Her risen Son and Lord : 
 Thought has not colours half so fair. 
 That she to paint that hour may dare 
 
 In silence best adored. 
 
 The gracious dove, that brought from heaven 
 
 The earnest of our bliss. 
 Of many a chosen witness telling. 
 Of many a happy vision dwelling. 
 
 Sings not a note of this. 
 
 So, truest image of the Christ, 
 
 Old Israel's long-lost Son, 
 What time, with sweet forgiving cheer, 
 He called His conscious brethren near, 
 
 Would weep with them alone. 
 
192 Floral Poetry. 
 
 He could not trust his melting soul 
 
 But in His Maker's sight — 
 Then why should gentle hearts and true 
 Bare to the rude world's withering view 
 
 Their treasures of delight ? 
 
 No ; let the dainty Rose awhile 
 Her bashful fragrance hide — 
 Rend not her silken veil too soon, 
 But leave her, in her own soft noon, 
 To flourish and abide. 
 
 KMe. 
 
 THE ROSE. 
 
 HOW much of memory dwells amidst thy bloom. 
 Rose ! ever wearing beauty for thy dower ! 
 The bridal-day — the festival — the tomb — 
 
 Thou hast thy part in each, thou stateliest flower; 
 
 Therefore with thy soft breath come floating by, 
 
 A thousand images of love and grief. 
 Dreams, filled with tokens of mortality. 
 
 Deep thoughts of all things beautiful and brief. 
 
 Not such thy spells o'er those that hailed thee first 
 In the clear light of Eden's golden day ; 
 
 There thy rich leaves to crimson glory burst, 
 Linked with no dim remembrance of decay. 
 
 Rose ! for the banquet gathered, and the bier ; 
 
 Rose ! coloured now by human hope or pain ; 
 Surely where death is not — nor change nor fear. 
 
 Yet may we meet thee, joy's own flower again ! 
 
 Mrs. Hemans. 
 
^ — ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 1^3 
 
 A CHRISTMAS ROSE. 
 
 WHEN the days are dark and cloudy 
 And the year's wreck strews the earth, 
 Pure, all around besoiled, 
 
 Springs the Christmas Rose to birth. 
 
 So when earth's , wide realms were dark 
 
 With sin, and hate, and strife, 
 Sinless, the Son of God 
 
 Came to His earthly life. 
 
 Then a Christmas Rose I send thee, 
 
 Now Wintry skies are drear, 
 The pledge of Christ's abiding 
 
 Through all the long New Year. 
 
 Rev. Canon Gmiei-. 
 
 CUPID AND THE DIAL. 
 
 ONE day, young frolic Cupid tried 
 To scatter Roses o'er the hours. 
 And on the dial's face to hide 
 
 The course of time with many flowers. 
 
 By chance, his rosy wreaths had wound 
 Upon the hands, and forced them on ; 
 
 And, when he looked again, he found 
 
 The hours had passed, the time was done. 
 
 " Alas !" said Love, and dropped his flowers, 
 " I've lost my time in idle play ; 
 The sweeter I would, make the hours, 
 The quicker they are passed away.'' 
 
 Anon. 
 
 S^ ^ 
 
 2 B 
 
^ 
 
 194 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 ■^ 
 
 THE LAY OF THE ROSE. 
 
 ^- 
 
 AROSE once passed within 
 A garden, April-green, 
 In her loneness, in her loneness, 
 And the fairer for that oneness. 
 
 A white Rose, delicate. 
 On a tall bough and straight, 
 Early comer, April comer, 
 Never waiting for the Summer ; 
 
 Whose pretty gestes did win 
 
 South winds to let her in, 
 In her loneness, in her loneness. 
 All the fairer for that oneness. 
 
 " For if I wait," said she, 
 
 " Till times for Roses be. 
 For the Musk Rose, and the Moss Rose, 
 Royal Red and Maiden Blush Rose, 
 
 " What glory then for me. 
 
 In such a company ? 
 Roses plenty, Roses plenty, 
 And one nightingale for twenty ! 
 
 " Nay, let me in," said she, 
 
 " Before the rest are free. 
 In my loneness, in my loneness, 
 All the fairer for that oneness. 
 
 " For I would lonely stand, 
 
 Uplifting my white hand. 
 On a mission, on a mission. 
 To declare the coming vision. 
 
 "Discordance that can accord ; 
 And accordance to discord." 
 
 The Romaunt of the Rose. 
 
 " See mine, a holy heart, 
 To high ends set apart — 
 All unmated, all unmated. 
 Because so consecrated. 
 
 " Upon which lifted sign, 
 What worship will be mine ! 
 What addressing, what caressing, 
 What thanks, and praise, and blessing ! 
 
 " A wind-like joy will rush 
 Through every tree and bush, 
 Bending softly in affection, 
 And spontaneous benediction. 
 
 " Insects, that only may 
 
 Live in a sun-bright ray, 
 To my whiteness, to my whiteness. 
 Shall be drawn, as to a brightness. 
 
 " And every moth and bee 
 
 Shall near me reverently, 
 Wheeling round me, wheeling o'er me. 
 Coronals of motioned glory. 
 
 " I ween the very skies 
 AVill look down in surprise. 
 When low on earth they see me, 
 \\\\\\ my cloudy aspect dreamy. 
 
 " E'en nightingales shall flee 
 Their woods for love of me. 
 Singing sadly all the suntide. 
 Never waiting for the moontide ! 
 
 ^ 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 ^ 
 
 195 
 
 fe^- 
 
 " Three larks shall leave a cloud 
 To my whiter beauty vowed, 
 Singing gladly all the moontide, 
 Never waiting for the suntide." 
 
 So praying did she win 
 South winds to let her in, 
 In her loneness, in her loneness, 
 And the fairer for that oneness. 
 
 But out, alas ! for her. 
 
 No thing did minister 
 To her praises, to her praises, 
 More than might unto a Daisy's. 
 
 No tree nor bush was seen 
 To boast a perfect green. 
 Scarcely having, scarcely having 
 One leaf broad enow for waving. 
 
 The little flies did crawl 
 
 Along the southern wall, 
 Faintly shifting, faintiy shifting, 
 Wings scarce strong enow for lifting. 
 
 The nightingale did please 
 
 To loiter beyond seas. 
 Guess him in the happy islands. 
 Hearing music from the silence. 
 
 The lark too high or low. 
 
 Did haply miss her so — 
 With his crest down in the gorses. 
 And his song in the star-courses ! 
 
 Only the bee, forsooth, 
 Came in the place of both — 
 Doing honour, doing honour, 
 To the honey-dews upon her. 
 
 The skies looked coldly down, 
 
 As on a royal crown ; 
 Then, drop by drop, at leisure, 
 Began to rain for pleasure. 
 
 Whereat the earth did seem 
 To waken from a dream — 
 
 Winter frozen. Winter frozen, 
 
 Her anguish eyes unclosing. 
 
 Said to the Rose, " Ha, Snow ! 
 
 And art thou fallen so ? 
 Thou who wert enthroned stately 
 Along my mountains lately. 
 
 " Hullo, thou world-wide snow ! 
 
 And art thou wasted so ? 
 With a little bough to catch thee. 
 And a little bee to watch thee?" 
 
 Poor Rose, to be misknown ! 
 
 Would she had ne'er been blown. 
 In her loneness, in her loneness. 
 All the sadder for that oneness. 
 
 Some words she tried to say. 
 Some sigh — ah, well away ! 
 But the passion did o'ercorhe her, 
 And the fair frail leaves dropped from her. 
 
 Dropped from her, fair and mute. 
 
 Close to a poet's foot. 
 Who beheld them, smiling lowly. 
 As at something sad yet holy : 
 
 Said, " Verily and thus. 
 
 So chanceth e'er with us, 
 Poets, ringing sweetest snatches. 
 While deaf men did keep the watches. 
 
Pr 
 
 196 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 ■^ 
 
 fe^- 
 
 " Saunting to come before 
 
 Oar own age evermore, 
 In a loneness, in a loneness, 
 And the nobler for that oneness. 
 
 " But if alone we be, 
 
 A\'here is our empiry ? 
 And if none can reach our stature. 
 Who will mate our lofty nature ? 
 
 " What bell will yield a tone 
 
 Save in the air alone ? 
 If no brazen clapper bringing, 
 Who can bear the chimed ringing ? 
 
 " What angel but would seem 
 To sensual eyes glent-dim ? 
 
 And without assimilation. 
 
 Vain is interpenetration ! 
 
 " Alas ! what can we do, 
 
 The Rose and poet too. 
 Who both antedate our mission 
 In an unprepare'd season ? 
 
 " Drop, leaf — be silent, song — 
 Cold things we came among ! 
 We must warm them, we must warm them. 
 Ere we even hope to charm them. 
 
 "Howbeit" — here his face 
 Heightened around the place. 
 So to mark the outward turning 
 Of his spirit's inward burning — 
 
 " Something it is to hold 
 
 In God's world's manifold. 
 First revealed to creatures' duty, 
 A new form of His mild beauty. 
 
 " Whether that form respect 
 
 The sense or intellect, 
 Holy rest in soul or pleasance, 
 The chief beauty's sign of presence. 
 
 " Holy in me and thee. 
 
 Rose fallen from the tree. 
 Though the world stand dumb around us. 
 All unable to expound us. 
 
 " Though none us deign to bless. 
 
 Blessed are we natheless ; 
 Blessed age and consecrated 
 In that, Rose, we were created ! 
 
 " Oh, shame to poet's lays. 
 Sung for the dole of praise — 
 
 Hoarsely sung upon the highway, 
 
 With an ' obolum da ■mihi' ! 
 
 " Shame ! shame to poet's soul. 
 
 Pining for such a dole. 
 When heaven-called to inherit 
 The high throne of his own spirit ! 
 
 " Sit still upon your thrones, 
 
 O ye poetic ones ! 
 And if, sooth, the world decry you, 
 Why, let that world pass by you ! 
 
 " Ye to yourselves suffice, 
 
 Without its flatteries ; 
 Self-contentedly approve you 
 Unto Him who sits above you. 
 
 " In prayers that upward mount, 
 
 Like to a sunndd fount. 
 And, in gushing back upon you. 
 Bring the music they have won you ! 
 
 -^ 
 
^ ■ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. i()-j 
 
 " In thanks for all the good 
 
 By poets understood — 
 For the sound of seraphs moving 
 Through the hidden depths of loving ! 
 
 " For sights of things away, 
 Through fissures of the clay — 
 
 Promised things, which shall be given 
 And sung ever up in heaven ! 
 
 " For life, so lonely vain. 
 
 For death, which breaks the chain — 
 For this sense of present sweetness, 
 And this yearning to completeness !" 
 
 Elizabeth B. Brcaaning. 
 
 THE HALF-BLOWN ROSE. 
 
 Y OOK, now, now we esteem the half-blown Rose, 
 The image of thy blush and Summer's honour ; 
 Whilst yet her tender bud doth undisclose 
 
 That full of beauty time bestows upon her. 
 No sooner spreads her glories to the air, 
 
 But straight her wide-blown pomp comes to decline ; 
 She then is scorned that late adorned the fair; 
 
 So fade the roses of those cheeks of thine ; 
 No April can revive thy withered flowers. 
 
 Whose springing grace adorns thy glory now ; 
 Swift, speedy time, feathered with flying hours. 
 
 Dissolves the beauty of the fairest brow : 
 Then do not thou such treasure was':e in vain. 
 But love now whilst thou may'st be loved again. 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 k^ ^-^ % 
 
198 Floral Poetry. 
 
 ANACREON TO THE ROSE. 
 
 WHILE we invoke the wreathe'd Spring, 
 Resplendent Rose ! to thee we'll sing, 
 Resplendent Rose ! the flower of flowers, 
 Whose breath perfumes Olympus' bowers. 
 Whose virgin blush, of chastened dye. 
 Enchants so much our mortal eye. 
 Oft has the poet's magic tongue 
 The Rose's fair luxuriance sung ; 
 And long the Muses, heavenly maids. 
 Have reared it in their tuneful shades, 
 When, at the early glance of morn. 
 It sleeps upon the glittering thorn, 
 'Tis sweet to dare the tangled fence, 
 To cull the timid floweret thence. 
 And wipe, with tender hand, away 
 The tear that on its blushes lay ! 
 'Tis sweet to hold the infant stems. 
 Yet dropping with Aurora's gems, 
 And fresh inhale the spicy sighs 
 That from the weeping buds arise. 
 When revel reigns, when mirth is high, 
 And Bacchus beams in every eye. 
 Our rosy fillets scent exhale. 
 And fill with balm the fainting gale. 
 Oh ! there is nought in nature bright, 
 Where Roses do not shade their light ; 
 
 fc- 
 
 
Floral Poetry. _ 199 
 
 Where morning paints the orient skies, 
 
 Her fingers burn with roseate dyes ; 
 
 And when, at length, with pale decline, 
 
 Its florid beauties fade and pine, 
 
 Sweet as in youth its balmy breath 
 
 Diffuses odour e'en in death ! 
 
 Oh ! whence could such a plant have sprung ? 
 
 Attend — for thus the tale is sung : 
 
 When humid from the silvery stream, 
 
 Effusing beauty's warmest beam, 
 
 Venus appeared in flushing hues. 
 
 Mellowed by ocean's briny dews ; 
 
 When, in the starry courts above, 
 
 The pregnant brain of mighty Jove 
 
 Disclosed the nymph of azure glance — 
 
 The nymph who shakes the martial lance — 
 
 Then, then, in. strange eventful hour. 
 
 The earth produced an infant flower. 
 
 Which sprung with blushing tinctures dressed. 
 
 And wantoned o'er its parent breast. 
 
 The gods beheld this brilliant birth, 
 
 And hailed the Rose, the boon of earth. 
 
 With nectar drops, a ruby tide. 
 
 The sweetly orient buds they dyed. 
 
 And bade them bloom, the flowers divine 
 
 Of him who sheds the teeming vine ; 
 
 And bade them on the spangled thorn 
 
 Expand their blossoms to the morn. 
 
 Anon. 
 
 ^ 
 
 -^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 
 
 ■^ 
 
 AMOUR OF THE ROSE. 
 
 ©tigiit of tfjc STljotna. 
 
 'Y'OUNG Love, rambling through the wood, 
 
 Found me in my soHtude, 
 Bright with dew and freshly blown 
 
 And trembling to the Zephyr's sighs ; 
 But as he stopped to gaze upon 
 
 The living gem with raptured eyes. 
 It chanced a bee was busy there. 
 Searching for its fragrant fair ; 
 And Cupid, stooping too, to sip, 
 The angry insect stung his lip ; 
 And, gushing from the ambrosial cell. 
 One bright drop on my bosom fell. 
 Weeping, to his mother he 
 Told the tale of treachery. 
 And she, her vengelul boy to please. 
 Strung his bow with captive bees. 
 But placed upon my slender stem 
 The poisoned sting she plucked from them ; 
 And none since that eventful morn 
 Have found the flower without a thorn. 
 
 Ano 
 
 ^ ^ ^ % 
 
Floral Poetry. 
 
 -^ 
 
 TO AN AUTUMN ROSE. 
 
 /YXELL her I love her — love her for those eyes, 
 
 Now soft with feeling, radiant now with mirth, 
 Which like a lake reflecting Autumn skies. 
 
 Reveal two heavens here to us on earth — 
 The one in which their soulfelt beauty lies, 
 
 And that wherein such soulfulness has birth : 
 Go to my lady ere the season flies. 
 
 And the rude Winter comes thy bloom to blast — 
 Go ! and with all of eloquence thou hast 
 The burning story of my love discover. 
 And if the theme should fail, alas ! to move her. 
 Tell her, when youth's gay Summer flowers are past, 
 Like thee my love will blossom to the last ! 
 
 Hoffman. 
 
 fr- 
 
 4^ 
 
 2 C 
 
^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 Floral Poeiry. 
 
 THE SENSITIVE PLANT. 
 
 SENSITIVE Plant in a garden grew, 
 And the young winds fed it with silver dew ; 
 And it opened its fan-like leaves to the light, 
 And closed them beneath the kisses of night. 
 
 And the Spring arose on the garden fair. 
 Like the spirit of love, felt everywhere ! 
 And each flower and herb on earth's dark breast 
 Rose from the dreams of its Wmtry rest. 
 
 The Snowdrop, and then the Violet, 
 
 Arose from the ground with warm rain wet ; 
 
 And their breath was mixed with fresh odour, sent 
 
 From the turf, like the voice to the instrument. 
 
 Then the pied Wind-flowers, and the Tulip tall. 
 And Narcissi, the fairest among them all — 
 Who gaze on their eyes in the stream's recess, 
 Till they die of their own dear loveliness ! 
 
 And the naiad-like Lily of the Vale, 
 Whom youth makes so fair, and passions so pale, 
 That the light of its tremulous bells is seen 
 Through their pavilions of tender green. 
 
 it.. 
 
 And the Hyacinth, purple, and white, and blue. 
 Which flung from its bells a sweet peal anew 
 Of music so delicate, soft, and intense, 
 It was felt like an odour within the sense. 
 
 ^ 
 
Flof'al Poetry. 203 
 
 And the Rose, like a nymph to the bath addrest, 
 Which unveiled the depth of her glowing breast, 
 Till, fold after fold, to the fainting air 
 The soul of her beauty and love lay bare. 
 
 And the wand-like Lily, which lifted up. 
 As a Msenad, its moonlight-coloured cup. 
 Till the fiery star, which is its eye, 
 Gazed through clear dew on the tender sky. 
 
 And the Jessamine faint, and the sweet Tuberose, 
 The sweetest flower for scent that blows ! 
 And all rare blossoms, from every clime. 
 Grew in that garden in perfect prime. 
 
 And on the stream, whose inconstant bosom 
 Was prankt under boughs of embowering blossom, 
 With golden and green light, and starting through 
 Their heaven of many a tangled hue. 
 
 Broad Water-lilies lay tremulously. 
 
 And starry River-buds glimmered by, 
 
 And around them the soft stream did glide and dance 
 
 With a motion of sweet sound and radiance. 
 
 And the sinuous paths of lawn and moss. 
 Which led through the garden along and across — 
 Some open at once to the sun and the breeze, 
 Some lost among bowers of blossoming trees — 
 
 Were all paved with Daisies and delicate bells. 
 
 As fair as the fabulous Asphodels, 
 
 And flowerets which, drooping as day drooped too, 
 
 Fell into pavilions white, purple, and blue, 
 
 To roof the glow-worm from the evening dew. 
 
 fe. % 
 
^- 
 
 204 Floral Poetry. 
 
 And from this undefiled paradise 
 The flowers (as an infant's awakening eyes 
 Smile on its mother, whose singing sweet 
 Can first lull, and at last must awaken it). 
 
 When heaven's blithe winds had unfolded them, 
 As mine-lamps enkindle a hidden gem. 
 Shone smiling to heaven, and every one 
 Shared joy in the light of the gentle sun ; 
 
 For each one was interpenetrated 
 With the light and the odour its neighbour shed. 
 Like young lovers, whom youth and love make dear, 
 Wrapped and filled by their mutual atmosphere. 
 
 But the Sensitive Plant, which could give small fruit 
 Of the love which it felt from the leaf to the root, 
 Received more than all, it loved more than ever. 
 Where none wanted but it, could belong to the giver. 
 
 For the Sensitive Plant has no bright flower ; 
 Radiance and odour are not its dower ; 
 It loves, even like Love ; its deep heart is full ; 
 It desires what it has not — the beautiful ! 
 
 The light winds which, from unsustaining wings, 
 Shed the music of many murmurings ; 
 The beams which dart from many a star 
 Of the flowers whose hues they bear afar. 
 
 The plumed insects, swift and free, 
 Like golden boats on a sunny sea. 
 Laden with light and odour, which pass 
 Over the gleam of the living grass. 
 
 ^- 
 
 :? 
 
Floral Poetry. 205 
 
 The unseen clouds of the dew, which lie 
 Like fire in the flawers till the sun rides high, 
 Then wander like spirits among the spheres, 
 Each cloud faint with the fragrance it bears. 
 
 The quivering vapours of dim noon-tide, 
 Which, like a sea, o'er the warm earth glide, 
 In which every sound, and odour, and beam. 
 Move as reeds in a single stream. 
 
 Each and all like ministering angels were. 
 For the Sensitive Plant sweet joy to bear ; 
 Whilst the lagging hours of the day went by. 
 Like windless clouds o'er a tender sky. 
 
 And when evening descended from heaven above, 
 And the earth was all rest, and the air was all love. 
 And delight, though less bright, was far more deep. 
 And the day's veil fell from the world of sleep ; 
 
 And the beasts and the birds and the insects were drowned 
 In an ocean of dreams without a sound ; 
 Whose waves never mark, though they ever impress. 
 The light sand which paves it — consciousness ; 
 
 Only overhead the sweet nightingale 
 
 Ever sang more sweet as the day might fail. 
 
 And snatches of its Elysian chant 
 
 Were mixed with the dreams of the Sensitive Plant. 
 
 The Sensitive Plant was the earliest 
 Upgathered into the bosom of rest ; 
 A sweet child, weary of its delight. 
 The feeblest, and yet the favourite, 
 Cradled within the embrace of night. 
 
 i^- 
 
-^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 There was a power in this sweet place — 
 
 An Eve in this Eden — a ruHng grace, 
 
 Which to the flowers, did they waken or dream, 
 
 Was as God is to the starry scheme. 
 
 A lady, the wonder of her kind. 
 Whose form was upborne by a lovely mind, 
 Which, dilating, had moulded her mien and motion. 
 Like a sea-flower unfolded beneath the ocean, 
 
 Tended the garden from morn to even ; 
 And the meteors of that sublunar heaven. 
 Like the lamps of the air when night walks forth. 
 Laughed round her footsteps up from the earth ! 
 
 She had no companion of mortal race, 
 But her tremulous breath and her flushing face 
 Told, whilst the morn kissed the sleep from her eyes. 
 That her dreams were less slumber than paradise. 
 
 As if some bright spirit for her sweet sake 
 
 Had deserted heaven while the stars were awake ; 
 
 As if yet around her he lingering were. 
 
 Though the veil of daylight concealed him from her. 
 
 Her step seemed to pity the grass it prest ; 
 You might hear, by the heaving of her breast. 
 That the coming and the going of the wind 
 Brought pleasure there, and left passion behind. 
 
 And wherever her airy footstep trod, 
 Her trailing hair from the grassy sod 
 Erased its light vestige, with shadowy sweep. 
 Like a sunny storm o'er the dark green deep. 
 
 k^ ^^ 
 
^ 
 
 
 Floral Poetiy. 207 
 
 I doubt not the flowers of that garden sweet 
 Rejoiced in the sound of her gentle feet ; 
 I doubt not they felt the spirit that came 
 From her glowing fingers through all their frame. 
 
 She sprinkled bright water from the stream 
 On those that were faint with the sunny beam ; 
 And out of the cups of the heavy flowers 
 She emptied the rain of the thunder showers. 
 
 She lifted their heads with her tender hands, 
 And sustained them with rods and osier bands ; 
 If the flowers had been her own infants, she 
 Could never have nursed them more tenderly. 
 
 And all killing insects and gnawing worms. 
 And things of obscene and unlovely forms, 
 She bore in a basket of Indian woof 
 Into the rough woods far aloof. 
 
 In a basket, of grasses and wild flowers full. 
 The freshest her gentle hands could pull 
 For the poor banished insects, whose intent. 
 Although they did ill, was innocent. 
 
 But the bee and the beam-like ephemeris. 
 Whose path is the lightning's, and the soft moths that kiss 
 The sweet lips of the flowers, and harm not, did she 
 Make her attendant angels be. 
 
 And many an antenatal tomb. 
 Where butterflies dream of the life to come, 
 She left clinging round the smooth and dark 
 Edge of the odorous cedar bark. 
 
 i^ ^ 
 
208 Floral Poetry. 
 
 This fairest creature, from earliest spring, 
 Thus moved through the garden, ministering. 
 All the sweet season of the summer-tide, 
 And ere the first leaf looked brown — she died. 
 
 PART III. 
 
 Three days the flowers of the garden fair. 
 Like stars when the noon is awakened, were ; 
 Or the waves of the Baiee, ere, luminous, 
 She floats up through the smoke of Vesuvius. 
 
 And on the fourth, the Sensitive Plant 
 Felt the sound of the funeral chant. 
 And the steps of the bearers, heavy and slow, 
 And the sobs of the mourners, deep and low. 
 
 The weary sound and the heavy breath. 
 And the silent motions of passing death. 
 And the smell, cold, oppressive, and dank. 
 Sent through the pores of the coffin plank. 
 
 The dark grass, and the flowers among the grass, 
 \Vere bright with tears as the crowds did pass. 
 From their sighs the wind caught a mournful tone, 
 And sate in the pines, and gave groan for groan. 
 
 The garden, once fair, became cold and foul, 
 like the corpse of her who had been its soul . 
 Which at first was lovely, as if in sleep, 
 Then slowly changed, till it grew a heap 
 To make men tremble who never weep. 
 
 Swift Summer into the Autumn flowed, 
 And frost in the mist of the morning rode. 
 Though the noon-day sun looked clear and bright. 
 Mocking the spoil of the secret night. 
 
 i^- ^ 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 ■^ 
 
 209 
 
 The Rose-leaves, like flakes of crimson snow, 
 Paved the turf and the moss below ; 
 The Lilies were drooping, and white and wan, 
 Like the head and the skin of a dying man. 
 
 And the Indian plants, of scent and hue, 
 The sweetest that ever were fed on dew, 
 Leaf after leaf, day by day. 
 Were massed into the common clay. 
 
 And the leaves, brown, yellow, and grey, and red. 
 And white with the whiteness of what is dead. 
 Like troops of ghosts on the dry wind passed ; 
 Their whistling noise made the birds aghast. 
 
 And the gusty winds waked the wingdd seeds 
 Out of their birth-place of ugly weeds, 
 Till they clung round many a sweet flower's stem. 
 Which rotted into earth with them. 
 
 The water-blooms under the rivulet 
 Fell from the stalks on which they were set ; 
 And the eddies drove them here and there. 
 As the winds did those of the upper air. 
 
 Then the rain came down, and the broken stalks 
 Were bent and tangled across the walks ; 
 And the leafless network of parasite bowers 
 Massed into ruin, and all sweet flowers. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Between the time of the wind and the snow. 
 
 All loathliest weeds began to grow. 
 
 Whose coarse leaves were splashed with many a speck. 
 
 Like the water-snake's belly and the toad's back. 
 
 -^ 
 
210 Floral Poetry. 
 
 The Sensitive Plant, like one forbid, 
 Wept, and the tears within each lid 
 Of its folded leaves, which together grew. 
 Were changed to a blight of frozen glue. 
 
 For the leaves soon fell, and the branches soon 
 By the heavy axe of the blast were hewn ; 
 The sap shrank to the root through every pore. 
 As blood to a heart that will beat no more. 
 
 For Winter came : the wind was his whip, 
 One choppy finger was on his lip ; 
 He had torn the cataracts from the hills. 
 And they clanked at his girdle like manacles. 
 
 His breath was a chain, which, without a sound, 
 The earth, and the air, and the water bound ; 
 He came, fiercely driven in his chariot throne 
 By the tenfold blasts of the Arctic zone. 
 
 Then the weeds, which were forms of living death, 
 Fled from the frosts to the earth beneath ; 
 Their decay and sudden flight from frost 
 Was but like the vanishing of a ghost ! 
 
 And under the roots of the Sensitive Plant 
 The moles and the dormice died for want ; 
 And the birds dropped stiff from the frozen air. 
 And were caught in the branches naked and bare. 
 
 First there came down a thawing rain, 
 And its dull drops froze on the boughs again ; 
 Then there steamed up a freezing dew, 
 Which to the drops of the thaw-rain grew; 
 
Floral Poetry. 211 
 
 And a northern whirlwind, wandering about 
 Like a wolf that had smelt a dead child out, 
 Shook the boughs thus laden and heavy and stiff. 
 And snapped them off with his rigid griff. 
 
 When Winter had gone and Spring came back, 
 
 The Sensitive Plant was a leafless wreck ; 
 
 But the mandrakes, and toadstools, and docks, and darnels, 
 
 Rose, like the dead, from their buried charnels. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Whether the Sensitive Plant, or that 
 Which within its boughs like a spirit sat. 
 Ere its outward form had known decay. 
 Now felt this change, I cannot say. 
 
 Whether that lady's gentle mind. 
 No longer with the form combined. 
 Which scattered love, as stars do light. 
 Found sadness where it left delight, 
 
 I dare not guess; but in this life 
 Of error, ignorance, and strife. 
 Where nothing is, but all things seem. 
 And we the shadows of the dream. 
 
 It is a modest creed, and yet 
 Pleasant, if one considers it, 
 To own that death itself must be. 
 Like all the rest, a mockery. 
 
 That garden sweet, that lady fair, 
 And all sweet shapes and odours there, 
 In truth, have never passed away ; 
 'Tis we, 'tis ours are changed — not they. 
 
 U^ ^ 
 
m- ^ 
 
 212 Floral Poetry. 
 
 For love, and beauty, and delight, 
 
 There is no death nor change ; their might 
 
 Exceeds our organs, which endure 
 
 No light, being themselves obscure. 
 
 Shelley. 
 
 THE DYING BOY TO THE SLOE BLOSSOM. 
 
 BEFORE thy leaves thou com'st once more, 
 White blossom of the Sloe ! 
 Thy leaves will come as heretofore ; 
 But this poor heart, its troubles o'er. 
 Will then lie low. 
 
 A month at least before thy time 
 
 Thou com'st, pale flower, to me ; 
 For well thou know'st the frosty rime 
 Will blast me ere my vernal prime. 
 No more to be. 
 
 Why here in Winter ? No storm lours 
 
 O'er Nature's silent shroud ! 
 But blithe larks meet the sunny showers, 
 High o'er the doomed untimely flowers 
 In beauty bowed. 
 
 Sweet Violets in the budding grove 
 
 Peep where the glad wa-\'es run ; 
 
 The wren below, the thrush above. 
 
 Of bright to-morrow's joy and love, 
 
 Sing to the sun. 
 
 And where the Rose-leaf, ever bold, 
 Hears bees chant hymns to God, 
 The breeze-bowed palm, mossed o'er with gold. 
 Smiles o'er the well in Summer cold, 
 And daisied sod. 
 
Floral Poehy. 213 
 
 But thou, pale blossom, thou art come. 
 
 And flowers in Winter blow. 
 To tell me that the worm makes room 
 For me, her brother, in the tomb. 
 And thinks me slow. 
 
 For as the rainbow of the dawn 
 
 Foretells an eve of tears, 
 A sunbeam on the saddened lawn, 
 I smile, and weep to be withdrawn 
 In early years. 
 
 Thy leaves will come, but songful Spring 
 
 Will see no leaf of mine ; 
 Her bells will ring, her bridesmaids sing. 
 When my young leaves are withering 
 Where no suns shine. 
 
 Oh ! might I breathe morn's dewy breath 
 
 When June's sweet Sabbaths chime ! 
 But, thine before my time, O Death ! 
 I go where no flower blossometh, 
 Before my time. 
 
 Ev'n as the blushes of the morn 
 
 Vanish, and long ere noon 
 The dewdrop dieth on the thorn. 
 So fair I bloomed ; and was I born 
 To die as soon ? 
 
 To love my mother, and to die — 
 
 To perish in my bloom ! 
 Is this my sad, brief history ? — 
 A tear dropped from a mother's eye 
 Into the tomb. 
 
^ — ^ 
 
 214 Floral Poetry. 
 
 He lived and loved — virill sorrow say-^ 
 
 By early sorrows tried ; 
 He smiled, he sighed, he passed away. 
 His life was but an April day — 
 He loved, and died ! 
 
 My mother smiles, then turns away. 
 
 But turns away to weep ; 
 They whisper round me — what they say 
 I need not hear, for in the clay 
 I soon must sleep. 
 
 Oh, love is sorrow ! sad it is 
 To be both tried and true ; 
 I ever trembled in my bliss ; 
 Now there are farewells in a kiss — 
 They sigh adieu. 
 
 But Woodbines flaunt when Blue-bells fade. 
 
 Where Don reflects the skies ; 
 And many a youth in Shirecliffs' shade 
 Will ramble where my boyhood played, 
 Though Alfred dies. 
 
 Then panting woods the breeze will feel, 
 
 And bowers, as heretofore, 
 Beneath their load of Roses reel ; 
 But I through Woodbine lanes shall steal 
 No more, no more. 
 
 Well, lay me by my brother's side, 
 
 Where late we stood and wept ; 
 
 For I was stricken when he died — 
 
 I felt the arrow as he sighed — 
 
 His last, and slept. 
 
 E. Elliott. 
 
^ 
 
 -^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 215 
 
 THE SHAMROCK. 
 
 mHROUGH Erin's Isle, 
 
 
 To sports awhile, 
 
 As Love and Valour wandered, 
 
 With Wit, the sprite, 
 
 Whose quiver bright 
 A thousand arrows squandered. 
 
 Where'er they pass, 
 
 A triple grass 
 Shoots up, with dew-drops streaming. 
 
 As softly green 
 
 As emerald seen 
 Through purest crystal gleaming. 
 Oh the Shamrock, the green, immortal 
 Shamrock ! 
 
 Chosen leaf 
 
 Of Bard and Chief, 
 Old Erin's native Shamrock ! 
 
 Says Valour, " See, 
 
 They spring for me, 
 Those leafy gems of morning ! " 
 
 Says Love, " No, no. 
 
 For me they grow, 
 My fragrant path adorning." 
 
 But Wit perceives 
 
 The triple leaves, 
 And cries, " Oh ! do not sever 
 
 A type that blends 
 
 Three godlike friends. 
 Love, Valour, Wit, for ever ! " 
 Oh the Shamrock, the green, immortal 
 Shamrock ! 
 
 Chosen leaf 
 
 Of Bard and Chief, 
 Old Erin's native Shamrock ! 
 
 So firmly fond 
 
 May last the bond 
 They wove that morn together. 
 
 And ne'er may fall 
 
 One drop of gall 
 On Wit's celestial feather. 
 
 May Love, as twine 
 
 His flowers divine. 
 Of thorny falsehood weed 'em ; 
 
 May Valour ne'er 
 
 His standard rear 
 Against the cause of Freedom ! 
 Oh the Shamrock, the green, immortal 
 Shamrock ! 
 
 Chosen leaf 
 
 Of Bard and Chief, 
 Old Erin's native Shamrock ! 
 
 Moore. 
 
 -^ 
 
2i6 Floral Poetry. 
 
 ^-'j 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE SNOWDROP. 
 
 HO fading flowers in Eden grew, 
 Nor Autumn's withering spread, 
 Among the trees, a browner hue, 
 To show the leaves were dead : 
 But through the groves and shady dells, 
 Waving their bright immortal bells. 
 Were Amaranths and Asphodels, 
 Undying in a place that knew 
 A golden age the whole year through. 
 
 But when the angel's fiery bands. 
 
 Guarding the eastern gate. 
 Told of a broken law's commands. 
 
 And agonies that came too late : — 
 With " longing, lingering" wish to stay, 
 And many a fond but vain delay 
 That could not wile her grief away. 
 Eve wandered aimless o'er a world 
 On which the wrath of God was hurled. 
 
 Then came the Spring's capricious smile, 
 And Summer sunlight warmed the air, 
 And Autumn's riches served a while 
 
 To hide the curse that lingered there ; 
 Till o'er the once untroubled sky 
 Quick driven clouds began to fly. 
 And moaning Zephyrs ceased to sigh, 
 Wlien Winter's storms in fury burst 
 Upon a world indeed accurst. 
 
 ■►^ 
 
Floral Poetry. 217 
 
 And when at last the driving snow, 
 
 A strange, ill-omened sight, 
 Came whitening all the plains below : — 
 
 To trembling Eve it seemed — affright 
 With shivering cold and terror bowed — 
 As if each fleecy vapour cloud 
 Were falling as a snowy shroud. 
 To form a close enwrapping pall 
 Fpr earth's untimely funeral. 
 
 Then all her faith and gladness fled. 
 
 And nothing left but blank despair. 
 Eve madly wished she had been dead, 
 
 Or never born a pilgrim there ; 
 But as she wept, an angel bent 
 His way adown the firmament, 
 And on a task of mercy sent 
 He raised her up, and bade her cheer 
 Her drooping heart, and banish fear : 
 
 And catching, as he gently spoke, 
 
 A flake of falling snow. 
 He breathed on it, and bade it take 
 
 A form and bud and blow : 
 And ere the flake had reached the earth. 
 Eve smiled upon the beauteous birth. 
 That seemed, amid the general dearth 
 Of living things, a greater prize 
 Than all the flowers in Paradise. 
 
 2 E 
 
2iS Floral Poetry. 
 
 ^3 
 
 ■ This is an earnest, Eve, to thee," 
 
 The glorious angel said, 
 
 ■ That sun and Summer soon shall be : 
 
 And though the leaves seem dead, 
 Yet once again the smiling Spring, 
 With wooing winds shall swiftly bring 
 New life to every sleeping thing. 
 Until they wake and make the scene 
 Look fresh again and gaily green." 
 
 The angel's mission being ended, 
 
 Up to heaven he flew, 
 But where he first descended, 
 
 And where he bade the earth adieu, 
 A ring of Snowdrops formed a posy 
 Of pallid flowers, whose leaves, unrosy. 
 Waved like a wingfed argosy, — 
 Whose climbing masts, above the sea. 
 Spread fluttering sail and streamer free. 
 
 And thus the Snowdrop like a bow 
 
 That spans the cloudy sky ; 
 Becomes a symbol whence we know 
 
 That brighter days are nigh : 
 That circling seasons, in a race 
 That know no lagging lingering pace 
 Shall each the other nimbly chase, 
 Till Time's departing final day 
 Sweep Snowdrops and the world away. 
 
 G. W. 
 
 fr 
 
 
Floral Poetry. 219 
 
 THE SNOWDROP. 
 
 FAIR flower ! that 'midst the lingering storms and snows 
 Of early Winter, and the early smile of Spring, 
 
 Rearest thy pensile form — pale fragile thing ! 
 Bending beneath each chilling blast that blows 
 From the rude icy North — rough Winter throws 
 
 Its snows upon thee ; while the Spring impearls, 
 
 Within thy cup, its name in softest tints 
 Of green. Child of two seasons ! who that knows 
 
 Thee, loves not to behold thy graceful form 
 
 Wooing the sunlight — shrinking from the storm ? 
 Thou art the herald of a brighter time, 
 
 Rearing thy flag on Winter's dreary way ; 
 Thou com'st, like spirit from a fairer clime. 
 
 Predicting joy 'midst death and sad decay. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Hincks. 
 
 THE SNOWDROP. 
 
 SOME deem the Rose the fairest flower 
 That ever bloomed near lady's bower, 
 And some the Lily of the Vale, 
 Which lends its sweetness to the gale. 
 
 But sweet and lovely though they be. 
 The Snowdrop 's dearer far to me ; 
 And when I seek my lady's bower, 
 I'll search the woods to find that flower. 
 
 I'll gently gather it, in dread 
 
 Lest I should hurt that graceful head. 
 
 Then bring it to my lady fair. 
 
 And leave it in her tender care. 
 
 Agnes R, Howell. 
 
2 20 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO THE SNOWDROP. 
 
 THOU first-born of the year's delight, 
 Pride of the dewy glade, 
 In vernal green and virgin white, 
 Thy vestal robes, arrayed : 
 
 'Tis not because thy drooping form 
 
 Sinks grateful on its nest, 
 \\'hen chilly shades from gathering storm 
 
 Affright thy tender breast ; 
 
 Nor from yon river islet wild 
 
 Beneath the Willow spray, 
 Where, like the ringlets of a child, 
 
 Thou wear'st thy circle gay ; 
 
 'Tis not for these I love thee dear, — 
 
 Thy shy averted smiles 
 To fancy bode a joyous year. 
 
 One of life's fair)' isles. 
 
 They twinkle to the wintry moon, 
 
 And cheer the ungenial day. 
 And tell us all will glisten soon 
 
 As green and bright as they. 
 
 Is there a heart that loves the Spring, 
 
 Their witness can refuse ? 
 Yet mortals doubt, when angels bring 
 
 From heaven their Easter news : 
 
 When holy maids and matrons speak 
 
 Of Christ's forsaken bed, 
 And voices, that forbid to seek 
 
 The living 'mid the dead ; 
 
 "^ ^ 
 
^— -^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 221 
 
 And when they say, " Turn, wandering heart, 
 
 Thy Lord is risen indeed. 
 Let pleasure go, put care apart, 
 
 And to His presence speed ; " 
 
 We smile in scorn : and yet we know 
 
 They early sought the tomb. 
 Their hearts that now so freshly glow, 
 
 Lost in desponding gloom. 
 
 They who have sought, nor hope to find, 
 
 Wear not so bright a glance : 
 They who have won their earthly mind, 
 
 Less reverently advance. 
 
 But where, in gentle spirits, fear 
 
 And joy so duly meet. 
 These sure have seen the angels near, 
 
 And kissed the Saviour's feet. 
 
 No ; let the pastor's thankful eye 
 
 Their faltering tale disdain. 
 As on their lowly couch they lie, 
 
 Prisoners of want and pain. 
 
 O guide us, when our faithless hearts 
 
 From Thee would start aloof. 
 Where patience her sweet skill imparts 
 
 Beneath some cottage roof: 
 
 Revive our dying fires to burn 
 
 High as her anthems soar, 
 And of our scholars let us learn 
 
 Our own forgotten lore. 
 
 Keble. 
 ^ ^ 
 
-^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO THE SNOWDROP. 
 
 PRETTY firstling of the year ! 
 Herald of the host of flowers ! 
 Hast thou left thy cavern drear, 
 In the hope of Summer hours ? 
 Back unto thy earthen bowers, 
 Back to thy warm world below. 
 
 Till the strength of suns and showers 
 Quell the now relentless snow ! 
 
 Art still here? — Alive, and bHthe? 
 
 Though the stormy night hath fled, 
 And the Frost hath passed his scythe 
 
 O'er thy small unsheltered head ? 
 
 Ah ! some lie amid the dead 
 (Many a giant stubborn tree, — 
 
 Many a plant, its spirits shed). 
 That were better nursed than thee ! 
 
 What hath saved thee ? Thou wast not 
 
 'Gainst the arrowy Winter furred — 
 Armed in scale — but all forgot 
 
 When the frozen winds were stirred. 
 
 Nature, who doth clothe the bird. 
 Should have hid thee in the earth, 
 
 Till the cuckoo's song was heard, 
 And the Spring let loose her mirth. 
 
 Nature — deep and mystic word. 
 Mighty mother ! still unknown ; 
 
 Thou didst sure the Snowdrop gird 
 With an armour all thine own ! 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 .-3 
 
^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 223 
 
 Thou, who send'st it forth alone 
 To the cold and sullen season 
 
 (Like a thought at random thrown), 
 Sent it thus for some grave reason ! 
 
 If 'twere but to pierce the mind 
 
 With a single gentle thought. 
 Who shall deem thee harsh or blind ? 
 
 Who that thou hast vainly wrought? 
 
 Hoard the gentle virtue caught 
 From the Snowdrop — reader wise ! 
 
 Good is good, wherever taught, 
 On the ground or in the skies ! 
 
 Barry Cornwall. 
 
 TO THE SNOWDROP. 
 
 LIKE pendent flakes of vegetating snow, 
 The early herald of the infant year. 
 Ere yet the adventurous Crocus dares to blow. 
 Beneath the orchard boughs thy buds appear. 
 
 While still the cold north-east ungenial lours. 
 And scarce the Hazel in the leafless copse 
 
 Or Sallows show their downy powdered flowers, 
 The grass is spangled with thy silver drops. 
 
 Yet when those pallid blossoms shall give place 
 To countless tribes, of richer hue and scent, 
 
 Summer's gay blooms, and Autumn's yellow race, 
 I shall thy pale inodorous bells lament. 
 
 So journeying onward in life's varying track, 
 Ev'n while warm youth its bright illusion lends, 
 
 Fond memory often with regret looks back 
 
 To childhood's pleasures, and to infant friends. 
 
 Charlotte Smith, 
 
 ^- 
 
224 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE SNOWDROP. 
 
 THE Snowdrop, Winter's timid child, 
 Awakes to life, bedewed with tears ; 
 And flings around its fragrance mild, 
 And where no rival flowerets bloom, 
 Amid the bare and chilling gloom, 
 A beauteous gem appears ! 
 
 All weak and wan, with head inclined. 
 
 Its parent breast the drifted snow ; 
 It trembles while the ruthless wind 
 Bends its slim form ; the tempest lours, 
 Its emerald eye drops crystal showers 
 
 On its cold bed below. 
 
 Poor flower ! on thee the sunny beam. 
 
 No touch of genial warmth bestows ; 
 Except to thaw the icy stream, 
 ^Vhose little current purls along 
 Thy fair and glossy charms among, 
 
 And whelms thee as it flows. 
 
 The night-breeze tears thy silky dress, 
 
 Which decked with silvery lustre shone ; 
 The morn returns, not thee to bless, 
 The gaudy Crocus flaunts its pride. 
 And triumphs where its rival died, 
 
 Unsheltered and unknown ! 
 
 No sunny beam shall gild thy grave. 
 
 No bird of pity thee deplore ; 
 There shall no spreading branches wave ; 
 For Spring shall all her gems unfold. 
 And revel 'mid her buds of gold, 
 
 When thou art seen no more ! 
 
 l-triH h^, 
 

 ;:^^3^:^3!<^^^E>^3¥:^E^ 
 
^— ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 225 
 
 Where'er I find thee, gentle flower, 
 
 Thou still art sweet and dear to me ; 
 For I have known the cheerless hour. 
 Have seen the sunbeams cold and pale, 
 Have felt the chilling wintry gale. 
 
 And wept and shrunk like thee ! 
 
 Mary Roiinson. 
 II 
 
 TO THE ROUND-LEAFED SUNDEW. 
 
 BY the lone fountain's secret bed. 
 Where human footsteps rarely tread, 
 'Mid the wild moor of silent glen. 
 The Sundew blooms unseen by men ; 
 Spreads there her leaf of rosy hue, 
 A chalice for the morning dew. 
 And, ere the Summer's sun can rise. 
 Drinks the pure waters of the skies. 
 
 Would'st thou that thy lot were given 
 Thus to receive the dews of heaven. 
 With heart prepared, like this meek flower ? 
 Come, then, and hail the dawning hour ; 
 So shall a blessing from on high, 
 Pure as the rain of Summer's sky. 
 Unsullied as the morning dew. 
 Descend, and all thy soul imbue. 
 
 Yes ! like the blossoms of. the waste 
 Would we the sky-born waters taste. 
 To the High Fountain's sacred spring 
 The chalice let us humbly bring : 
 So shall we find the streams of heaven 
 To him who seeks are freely given ; 
 The morning and the evening dew 
 Shall still our failing strength renew. 
 
 Anon. 
 
 fr ^ 
 
 2 F 
 
226 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE SUN-FLOWER. 
 
 Y?C AGLE of flowers ! I see thee stand, 
 ^-* And on the sun's noon-glory gaze ; 
 With eye hke his thy lids expand, 
 
 And fringe their disk with golden rays ; 
 Though fixed on earth, in darkness rooted there. 
 Light is thine element, thy dwelling air, 
 Thy prospect heaven. 
 
 So would mine eagle-soul descry, 
 
 Beyond the path where planets run. 
 The light of immortality, 
 
 The splendour of creation's sun ; 
 Though sprung from earth, and hast'ning to the tomb. 
 In hope a flower of paradise to bloom, 
 I look to heaven. 
 
 Mimtmniay. 
 
 k- ^ 
 
^ ^ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 227 
 
 ON PLANTING A TULIP-ROOT. 
 
 ERE lies a bulb, the child of earth, 
 Buried alive beneath the clod. 
 Ere long to spring, by second birth, 
 A new and nobler work of God. 
 
 'Tis said that microscopic power 
 
 Might through his swaddling folds descry 
 The infant image of the flower, 
 
 Too exquisite to meet the eye. 
 
 This vernal suns and rains will swell. 
 
 Till from its dark abode it peep, 
 Like Venus rising from her shell, 
 
 Amidst the spring-tide of the deep. 
 
 Two shapely leaves will first unfold ; 
 
 Then on a smooth, elastic stem, 
 The verdant bud shall turn to gold. 
 
 And open in a diadem. 
 
 Not one of Flora's brilliant race 
 
 A form more perfect can display ; 
 Art could not feign more simple grace, 
 
 Nor Nature take a line away. 
 
 Yet, rich as morn, of many a hue, 
 
 When flushing clouds through darkness strike. 
 
 The Tulip's petals shine in dew 
 
 All beautiful, but none alike. 
 
 Montgomery. 
 
 fc- ^ 
 
^- 
 
 228 
 
 ^ 
 
 Floi^al Poetry. 
 
 THE VIOLET. 
 
 VIOLET blossomed on the lea, 
 
 Half hidden from the eye, 
 As fair a flower as you might see ; 
 
 When there came tripping by 
 A shepherd maiden fair and young, 
 
 Lightly, lightly, o'er the lea ; 
 Care she knew not, and she sung 
 Merrily ! 
 
 " O were I but the fairest flower, 
 That blossoms on the lea ; 
 If only for one little hour. 
 
 That she might gather me — 
 Clasp me in her bonnie breast ! " 
 Thought the little flower. 
 " O that in it I might rest 
 But an hour!" 
 
 Latk-a-day ! Up came the lass, 
 
 Heeded not the Violet ; 
 Trod it down into the grass ; 
 Though it died, 'twas happy yet, 
 " Trodden down although I lie, 
 Yet my death is very sweet — 
 O the happiness to die 
 At her feet !" 
 Goctke. Translated by Theodore Martin. 
 
 5>L 
 
 ■^ 
 
^ ■ ^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 229 
 
 THE VIOLET. 
 
 rXWEET lowly plant, once more I bend 
 ^ To hail thy presence here, 
 Like a beloved returning friend, 
 From absence doubly dear. 
 
 Wert thou for ever in our sight, 
 
 Might we not love thee less ? 
 But now thou bringest new delight, 
 
 Thou still hast power to bless. 
 
 Still doth thy April presence bring 
 
 Of April joys a dream. 
 When life was in its sunny spring — 
 
 A fair, unrippled stream. 
 
 And still thine exquisite perfume 
 
 Is precious as of old, 
 And still thy modest, tender bloom 
 
 It joys me to behold. 
 
 It joys and cheers whene'er I see 
 Pain on earth's meek ones press. 
 
 To think the storm that rends the tree 
 Scathes not thy lowliness. 
 
 And thus may human weakness find, 
 
 E'en in thy lowly flower, 
 An image cheering to the mind 
 
 In many a trying hour. 
 
 Anon. 
 
 i^ ^ 
 
^ -^ 
 
 230 Floral Poehy. 
 
 THE VIOLET. 
 
 WHY better than the lady Rose 
 Love I this little flower? 
 Because its fragrant leaves are those 
 I loved in childhood's hour. 
 
 Though many a flower may win my praise, 
 
 The Violet has my love ; 
 I did not pass my childish days 
 
 In garden or in grove. 
 
 My garden was the window-seat, 
 
 Upon whose edge was set 
 A little vase — the fair, the sweet — 
 
 It was the Violet. 
 
 It was my pleasure and my pride ; — 
 
 How I did watch its growth ; 
 For health and bloom what plans I tried. 
 
 And often injured both ! 
 
 I placed it in the summer shower, 
 
 I placed it in the sun ; 
 And ever at the evening hour, 
 
 My work seemed half undone. 
 
 The broad leaves spread, the small buds grew, 
 
 How slow they seemed to be ! 
 At last there came a tinge of blue, 
 
 'Twas worth the world to me ! 
 
 -^ 
 
^ -—^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 231 
 
 At length the perfume filled the room, 
 
 Shed from their purple wreath ; 
 No flower has now so rich a bloom, 
 
 Has now so sweet a breath. 
 
 I gathered two or three — they seemed 
 
 Such rich gifts to bestow ! 
 So precious in my sight, I deemed 
 
 That all must think them so. 
 
 Oh ! who is there but would be fain 
 
 To be a child once more, 
 If future years could bring again 
 
 All that they brought before ? 
 
 My heart's world has been long o'erthrown ; 
 
 It is no more of flowers ; 
 Their bloom is passed, their breath is flown ; 
 
 Yet I recall those hours. 
 
 Let Nature spread her loveliest, 
 
 By Spring or Summer nurst : 
 
 Yet still I love the Violet best. 
 
 Because I loved it first. 
 
 L. E. Landon. 
 
 VIOLETS. 
 
 UNDER the green hedges after the snow. 
 There do the dear little Violets grow ; 
 Hiding their modest and beautiful heads 
 Under the Hawthorn in soft mossy beds. 
 
 Sweet as the Roses and blue as the sky, 
 Down there do the dear little Violets lie, 
 Hiding their heads where they scarce can be seen; — 
 By the leaves you may know where the Violet hath been. 
 
 Moultrie. 
 
 i^- ^ 
 
232 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE VIOLET. 
 
 SWEET Violets, Love's paradise, that spread 
 Your gracious odours, which you couched bear 
 Within your palie faces, 
 Upon the gentle wing of some calm-breathing wind. 
 
 That plays amidst the plain. 
 If by the favour of propitious stars you gain 
 Such grace as in my ladle's bosom place to find. 
 
 Be proud to touch those places ! 
 Your honours of the flowrie meads I pray, 
 You pretty daughters of the earth and sun. 
 
 RaleigJi. 
 
 VIOLETS.— A SONNET. 
 
 BEAUTIFUL are you in your lowliness : 
 Bright in your hues, delicious in your scent, 
 Lovely your modest blossoms, downward bent, 
 
 As shrinking from our gaze, yet prompt to bless 
 
 The passer-by with fragrance, and express 
 How gracefully, though mutely eloquent, 
 Are unobtrusive worth and meek content. 
 
 Rejoicing in their own obscure recess. 
 
 Delightful flowerets ! at the voice of Spring 
 
 Your buds unfolded to its sunbeams bright ; 
 
 And, though your blossoms soon shall fade from sight. 
 Above your lonely birth-place birds shall sing. 
 And from your clustering leaves the glow-worm fling 
 
 The emerald glory of its earth-born light. 
 
 Barton. 
 
Floral Poetry. 233 
 
 THE VIOLET. 
 
 THE Violet in her greenwood bo'v^er, 
 Where Birchen boughs with Hazels mingle, 
 May boast herself the fairest flower 
 In glen, or copse, or forest dingle. 
 
 Though fair her gems of azure hue. 
 
 Beneath the dew-drop's weight reclining, 
 
 I've seen an eye of lovelier blue. 
 
 More sweet through watery lustre shining. 
 
 The summer sun that dew shall dry. 
 Ere yet the day be past its morrow ; 
 
 No longer in my false love's eye 
 
 Remained the tear of parting sorrow. 
 
 Sir Walter Scott. 
 
 ON A FADED VIOLET. 
 
 THE odour from the flower is gone 
 Which, like thy kisses, breathed on me ; 
 The colour from the flower is flown. 
 Which glowed of thee, and only thee ! 
 
 A shrivelled, lifeless, vacant form. 
 
 It lies on my abandoned breast. 
 And mocks the heart, which yet is warm. 
 
 With cold and silent rest. 
 
 I weep, — my tears revive it not ! 
 
 I sigh, — it breathes no more on me ; 
 
 Its mute and uncomplaining lot 
 
 Is such as mine should be. 
 
 Shelley. 
 
 2 G 
 
234 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE YELLOW VIOLET. 
 
 XOKHEN Beechen buds begin to swell, 
 ^ * And woods the blue-bird's warble know, 
 The yellow Violet's modest bell 
 
 Peeps from the last year's leaves below. 
 
 Ere russet fields their green resume. 
 Sweet flower, I love, in forest bare, 
 
 To meet thee when thy faint perfume 
 Alone is in the virgin air. 
 
 Of all her train, the hand of Spring 
 First plants thee in the watery mould, 
 
 And I have seen thee blossoming 
 Beside the snow-bank's edges cold. 
 
 Thy parent sun, who bade thee view 
 Pale skies, and chilling moisture sip, 
 
 Has bathed thee in his own bright hue, 
 And streaked with jet thy glowing lip. 
 
 Yet slight thy form, and low thy seat, 
 And earthward bent thy gentle eye, 
 
 Unapt the passing view to meet. 
 
 When loftier flowers are flaunting nigh. 
 
 Oft in the sunless April day. 
 
 Thy early smile has stayed my walk, 
 
 But midst the gorgeous blooms of May 
 I passed thee on thy humble stalk. 
 
 ^- 
 
 -% 
 
Floral Poetry. 235 
 
 So they who ch'mb to wealth forget 
 
 The friends in darker fortunes tried \ 
 I copied them — but I regret 
 
 That I should ape the ways of pride. 
 
 And when again the genial hour 
 
 Awakes the painted tribes of light, 
 I'll not o'erlook the modest flower 
 
 That made the woods of April bright. 
 
 Bryant. 
 
 THE VIOLET. 
 
 QWEETEST little purple flower! 
 *^ Found most oft by lonely tower, 
 Or in the woodland, or the vale, 
 Sending forth thy odorous gale. 
 
 Thy lovely form, of deepened hue. 
 Is bathed in morn and evening dew : 
 And in return for Nature's store, 
 Thy balmy fragrance thou dost pour. 
 
 Thou liv'st unseen and quite retired, 
 By all thy kindred unadmired. 
 Save the pale Primrose, who like thee, 
 Lies hidden in obscurity. 
 
 So virtue shuns the vulgar gaze. 
 
 Nor courts the empty breath of praise ; 
 
 But in the solitary glade 
 
 Shines forth, in Beauty's self arrayed. 
 
 Emma Prior. 
 
 k~ 
 
^- '^ 
 
 236 Floral Poetry. 
 
 TO A TUFT OF EARLY VIOLETS. 
 
 OWEET flowers ! that from your humble beds 
 
 Thus prematurely dare to rise, 
 And trust your unprotected heads 
 To cold Aquarius' wat'ry skies ; 
 
 Retire, retire ! these tepid airs 
 
 Are not the genial brood of May ; 
 
 That Sun with light malignant glares. 
 And flatters only to betray. 
 
 Stern Winter's reign is not yet past — 
 Lo ! while your buds prepare to blow. 
 
 On icy pinions comes the blast, 
 
 And nips your root, and lays you low. 
 
 Alas, for such ungentle doom ! 
 
 But I will shield you ; and supply 
 A kindlier soil on which to bloom, 
 
 A nobler bed on which to die. 
 
 Come then — ere yet the morning ray 
 
 Has drunk the dew that gems your crest, 
 
 And drawn your balmiest sweets away ; 
 O come, and grace my Anna's breast. 
 
^ — ^ 
 
 Floral Poetr^. 237 
 
 Ye droop, fond flowers ! But did ye know 
 
 What worth, what goodness there reside, 
 Your cups Tyith loveHest tints would glow, 
 
 And spread their leaves with conscious pride. 
 
 For there has liberal Nature joined 
 
 Her riches to the stores of art. 
 And added to the vigorous mind, 
 
 The soft, the sympathising heart. 
 
 Come then — ere yet the morning ray 
 
 Has drunk the dew that gems your crest. 
 
 And drawn your balmiest sweets away ; 
 O come, and grace my Anna's breast. 
 
 More blest than me, thus shall ye live 
 
 Your little day ; and when ye die. 
 Sweet flowers ! the grateful Muse shall give 
 
 A verse ; the sorrowing maid, a sigh. 
 
 While I, alas ! no distant date, 
 
 Mix with the dust from whence I came. 
 Without a friend to weep my fate, 
 
 Without a stone to tell my name. 
 
 William Gifford. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
^— ^ 
 
 238 Floral Poetry. 
 
 THE VIOLET. 
 
 THE forward Violet thus did I chide : 
 Sweet thief, whence did'st thou steal thy sweet that smells, 
 If not from my love's breath ? The purple pride 
 
 "Which on thy soft cheek for complexion dwells 
 In my love's veins thou hast too grossly dyed, 
 
 The Lily I condemned for thy hand, 
 And buds of Marjoram had stolen thy hair : 
 
 The Roses fearfully on thorns did stand. 
 One blushing shame, another white despair ; 
 
 A third, nor red nor white, had stolen of both. 
 And to his robbery had annexed thy breath ; 
 
 But, for his theft, in spite of all his growth, 
 
 A vengeful canker ate him up to death. 
 
 More flowers I noted, yet I none could see 
 
 But sweet or colour it had stolen from thee. 
 
 Shakspere. 
 
 THE SCENTLESS VIOLET. 
 
 DECEITFUL plant ! from thee no odours rise, 
 Perfume the air, or scent the mossy glade, 
 Although thy blossoms wear the modest guise 
 Of her, the sweetest offspring of the shade. 
 
 Yet not like hers, still shunning to be seen. 
 And by their fragrant breath, alone, betrayed, 
 
 Veiled in the vesture of a scantier green, 
 To every gazer are thy flowers displayed. 
 
 Thus Virtue's garb Hypocrisy may wear, 
 
 Kneel as she kneels, or give as she has given ; 
 
 But, ah ! no meek, retiring worth is there — 
 No incense of the heart exhales to Heaven. 
 
 C. 11. Townscnd. 
 
^ 
 
 Floral Poetry. 239 
 
 SONG OF THE VIOLETS. 
 
 Y YNDER the hedge all safe and warm 
 
 *^ Sheltered from boisterous wind and storm 
 
 We Violets lie : 
 
 With each small eye 
 Closely shut while the cold goes by. 
 
 You look at the bank, 'mid the biting frost, 
 And you sigh and say we are dead and lost : 
 
 But, lady, stay 
 
 For a sunny day. 
 And you'll find us again alive and gay. 
 
 On mossy banks, under forest trees. 
 You'll find us crowding in days like these : 
 
 Purple and blue. 
 
 And white ones too, 
 Peep at the sun and wait for you. 
 
 By maids and matrons, by old and young, 
 By rich and poor our praise is sung : 
 
 And the blind man sighs 
 
 When his sightless eyes 
 He turns to the spot where our perfumes rise. 
 
 There is not a garden the country through 
 Where they plant not Violets white and blue : 
 
 By princely hall. 
 
 And cottage small— 
 For we're sought, and cherished, and culled by all. 
 
^ — ^ 
 
 240 Floral Poetry. 
 
 ■U- 
 
 Yet grand parterres, and stiff trimmed beds, 
 But ill become our modest heads ; 
 
 We'd rather run, 
 
 In shadow and sun, 
 O'er the banks where our merry lives first begun. 
 
 There, where the Birken bough's silvery shine 
 Gleams over the Hawthorn and frail Woodbine, 
 
 Moss deep and green, 
 
 Lies thick between, 
 The plots where we Violet-flowers are seen. 
 
 And the small gay Celandine's stars of gold 
 Rise sparkling beside our purple's fold : — 
 
 Such a regal show 
 
 Is rare I trow. 
 Save on the banks where the Violets grow. 
 
 L. A. Twajulcv 
 
 j??,?A#^* 
 
 
Floral Poetry. 241 
 
 FRAGMENT. 
 aJIallsflDtoct antr I^Dncgsucklt. 
 
 W ND well the lonely infant knew 
 
 Recesses where the Wall-flower grew, 
 And Honeysuckle loved to crawl 
 Up the low crag and ruined wall. 
 I deemed such nooks the sweetest shade 
 The sun in all his round surveyed, 
 And still I thought that shattered tower 
 The mightiest work of human power. 
 
 Sir Walter Scoll. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 2 H 
 
242 
 
 Floral Poetry. 
 
 >i ■> 
 
 THE DEATH OF THE FLOWERS. 
 
 OW happily, how happily the flowers die away, 
 
 Oh ! could we but return to earth as easily as they ; 
 Just live a life of sunshine, of innocence and bloom, 
 Then drop without decrepitude or pain into the tomb. 
 
 The gay and glorious creatures ! they neither " toil nor spin. 
 Yet, lo ! what goodly raiment they're all apparelled in ; 
 No tears are on their beauty, but dewy gems more bright 
 Than ever brow of Eastern queen endiademed with light. 
 
 The young rejoicing creatures ! their pleasures never pall, 
 Nor lose in sweet contentment, because so free to all ; 
 The dew, the showers, the sunshine, the balmy blessed air, 
 Spend nothing of their freshness, though all may freely share. 
 
 The happy, careless creatures ! of time they take no heed, 
 
 Nor weary of his creeping, nor tremble at his speed ; 
 
 Nor sigh with sick impatience, and wish the light away, 
 
 Nor when tis gone, cry dolefully, " Would God that it were day ! " 
 
 And when their lives are over, they drop away to rest. 
 Unconscious of the penal doom on holy nature's breast ; 
 No pain have they in dying — no shrinking from decay, 
 Oh ! could we but return to earth as easily as they ! 
 
 C. Bcwh-s. 
 
 ^mm& 
 
'^- 
 
 ^ 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 FLOWERS, WITH THE SENTIMENTS THEY REPRESENT. 
 
 Jloincrs. 
 
 Acacia 
 
 Acacia, Rose or White 
 Acacia, Yellow 
 Acanthus 
 
 Achillea Millefoiia 
 
 Achimenes Cupreata ... ' 
 Aconite (Wolfsbane) ... 
 Aconite-leaved Crowsfoot 
 Adonis (Pheasant's Kye) 
 African Mangold 
 
 Agnus Castus 
 
 Agrimony 
 Allspice 
 
 Almond, Common 
 Almond, Flowering 
 
 Aloe 
 
 Althea Frutex (Syrian Mallow) 
 
 Alyssum, Sweet 
 
 Amaranth, Globe 
 
 Amaranth, Cockscomb 
 
 Amaryllis 
 
 Ambrosia 
 
 American Cowshp 
 
 Amethyst 
 
 Andromeda 
 
 Anemone, Garden 
 
 Anemone (Zephyr Flower) 
 
 Angelica 
 
 Apocynum (Dogsbane) 
 
 Apple 
 
 Apple, Thorn ... 
 
 Apricot Blossom 
 
 Arbor Vitse 
 
 Arbutus, or Strawberry Tree 
 
 iiaonHjs of jTtofajmng. 
 
 April — June ... 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 July — September 
 August 
 
 July 
 
 June, July ... 
 May— July ... 
 September, October.. 
 
 .July 
 
 Summer 
 July, August 
 May — July ... 
 March 
 March, April 
 
 August, September .. 
 Summer 
 
 July 
 
 June 
 
 April 
 
 August, September .. 
 
 Spring 
 
 July 
 
 August 
 
 April — May ... 
 
 March — May 
 
 September ... 
 
 July, September 
 
 May 
 
 July, August... 
 
 March 
 
 May 
 
 September, October... 
 
 ■Sentiments. 
 
 Friendship ; chaste love. 
 
 Elegance. 
 
 Secret love. 
 
 The fine arts ; artifice. 
 
 War. 
 
 Such worth is rare. 
 
 Misanthropy ; chivalry. 
 
 Lustre. 
 
 Sad memories ; remembrance. 
 
 Vulgar minds. 
 
 Coldness ; indifference. 
 
 Thankfulness ; gratitude. 
 
 Compassion. 
 
 Stupidity ; indiscretion. 
 
 Hope. [sorrow. 
 
 Grief; religious superstition; acute 
 
 Persuasion. 
 
 Worth beyond beauty. 
 
 ImraortaUty; unfading love. 
 
 Foppery ; affectation ; singularity. 
 
 Pride ; splendid beauty. 
 
 Love returned. 
 
 Divine beauty ; pensiveness. 
 
 Admiration. 
 
 Self-sacrifice. 
 
 Forsaken, 
 
 Sickness ; expectation. 
 
 Inspiration ; magic. 
 
 Deceit ; falsehood. 
 
 Temptation. 
 
 Deceitful charms. 
 
 Doubt. 
 
 Unchanging friendship 
 
 Esteem and love. 
 
 live for me. 
 
 i^ 
 
 ^ 
 
^ 
 
 ■« 
 
 <? 
 
 244 
 
 TJie Language of Flowers. 
 
 jriotocrs. 
 
 U^- 
 
 Arum 
 
 Asclepias 
 
 Ash-leaved Trumpet Flower 
 
 Ash, Mountain 
 
 Ash Tree 
 
 Aspen Tree 
 
 Asphodel 
 
 Aster (China|, Double 
 
 Aster (China), Single 
 
 Auricula 
 
 Auricula, Scarlet 
 
 Austurtium 
 
 Azalea ... 
 
 Bachelor's Buttons 
 
 Balm 
 
 Balm of Gilead 
 Balsam, Yellow... 
 Barberry- 
 Basil 
 
 Bay Tree 
 
 Bay (Rose) Rhododendron 
 
 Bearded Crepis 
 
 Beech Tree 
 
 Begonia 
 
 Belladonna 
 
 Bell Flower 
 
 Betony ... 
 Bilberry ... 
 Bindweed 
 
 Birch 
 
 Birdsfoot Trefoil 
 
 Bittersweet (Nightshade) 
 
 Black Poplar ... 
 
 Blackthorn 
 
 Bladder Senna ... 
 
 Blue-bell 
 
 Bluebottle (Centaury) 
 
 Borage 
 
 Box Tree 
 
 Bramble 
 
 Branch of Thorns 
 
 Briar, Sweet 
 
 Bridal Rose 
 
 Broom 
 
 Browallia Jamisoni 
 
 Bryony 
 
 Buckbean 
 
 Buglo.5S 
 
 BuUace Tree 
 
 Bulrush 
 
 Bur, Butter 
 
 Burdock 
 
 Buttercup (Kingcu]-)) ... 
 
 Butterfly Orchis 
 
 Butterfly Weed 
 
 Cabbage 
 
 Cacalia 
 
 Cactus ... . . 
 
 UElontfis of JTIotoctirtfl. 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 August, September , 
 
 July 
 
 May 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 March 
 
 July, September 
 
 July 
 
 Do. 
 
 April 
 Do. 
 July, September 
 May, June ... 
 
 Summer 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 August 
 
 July, August 
 
 June 
 
 July, August 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 June 
 
 Summer 
 
 June 
 
 July, August 
 
 June — August 
 
 July, September 
 
 July, August 
 
 May 
 
 July — September 
 
 April 
 
 July, August 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 March, April 
 
 March — May 
 
 July, August 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 July, August 
 
 June — September 
 
 April 
 
 June — August 
 
 June 
 
 All summer ... 
 
 June 
 
 Do. 
 
 May, July ... 
 
 July 
 
 June— August 
 April 
 
 June, July ... 
 April, May ... 
 July, August 
 May 
 
 June, July ... 
 August 
 
 Spring 
 
 August, September .. 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 S'entimcnfs. 
 
 Ardour ; zeal. 
 
 Cure for the heart-ache. 
 
 Separation. 
 
 Prudence ; with me you are safe. 
 
 Grandeur. 
 
 Lamentation. 
 
 My regrets follow you to the grave. 
 
 I partake your sentiments. 
 
 I will think of it. 
 
 Painting. 
 
 Avarice. 
 
 Splendour. 
 
 Temperance. 
 
 Celibacy ; single blessedness. 
 
 Sympathy. 
 
 Cure ; relief. 
 
 Impatience. 
 
 Sourness of temper ; sharpness. 
 
 Hatred. 
 
 I change but in death ; glory. 
 
 Danger ; beware. 
 
 Protection. 
 
 Prosperity. 
 
 Deformity. 
 
 Silence ; hush ; truth. 
 
 Constancy. 
 
 Surprise. 
 
 Treachery. 
 
 Insinuation. 
 
 Meekness. 
 
 Revenge. 
 
 Truth ; silence ; hush. 
 
 Courage. 
 
 Difficulty. 
 
 Frivolous amusements. 
 
 Sorrowful regrets. 
 
 Delicacy. 
 
 Bluntness ; roughness of manners. 
 
 Stoicism. 
 
 Lowliness ; envy ; remorse. 
 
 Seventy ; rigour. 
 
 Poetry ; I wound to heal. 
 
 Happy love. [Plantagenets. 
 
 Humility; neatness; emblem bf the 
 
 Could you bear poverty? 
 
 Prosperity. 
 
 Calm repose. 
 
 Falsehood. 
 
 Acidity. 
 
 Indiscretion ; docility. 
 
 Rudeness ; you weary me. 
 
 Importunity. 
 
 Riches; desire of riches. 
 
 Gaiety. 
 
 Let me go. 
 
 Profit. 
 
 Adulation. 
 
 Warmth. 
 
 ^ 
 
^ 
 
 ■^ 
 
 T/ie Language of Flower: 
 
 245 
 
 iFlafacre. 
 
 ilfilontija of JFIoiBerinfi. 
 
 Scntimmts. 
 
 
 Calceolaria 
 
 Jtine, July ... 
 
 I offer you my fortune. 
 
 
 Calla ^thiopica 
 
 tune 
 
 Feminine modesty. 
 
 
 Calycanthus ... 
 
 Do. 
 
 Benevolence. 
 
 
 Camellia Japonica, Red 
 
 May 
 
 Unpretending excellence. 
 
 
 Do., do., White 
 
 Do. 
 
 Perfected loveliness. 
 
 
 Camomile 
 
 August 
 
 Energy in adversity. 
 
 
 Campanula 
 
 Tune — August 
 
 Aspiring. 
 
 
 Canary Grass ... 
 
 July 
 
 Perseverance. 
 
 
 Candytuft 
 
 April— Tune ... 
 
 Architecture. 
 
 
 Canterbury Bell 
 
 July 
 
 Acknowledgment ; gratitude. 
 
 
 Cape Jasmine ... 
 
 August 
 
 I'm too happy. 
 
 
 Cardamine 
 
 March 
 
 Paternal error. 
 
 
 Cardinal Flower 
 
 July — October 
 
 Distinction. 
 
 
 Carnation, Deep Red 
 
 July, August 
 
 Alas, for my poor heart ! 
 
 
 Do., Striped 
 
 Do 
 
 Refusal. 
 
 
 Do., Yellow 
 
 Do 
 
 Disdain. 
 
 
 Carolina Syringa 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Disappointment. 
 
 
 Carrot ... 
 
 June 
 
 Do not refuse. 
 
 
 Catchfly, Red 
 
 May— July ... 
 
 Youthful love. 
 
 
 Do., White 
 
 Do 
 
 Betrayed, 
 
 
 Catesby's Starworl 
 
 June 
 
 After-thought. 
 
 
 Cattleya 
 
 All summer ... 
 
 Mature charms. 
 
 
 Cattleya Pineli 
 
 Autumn 
 
 Matronly grace. 
 
 
 Cedar Deodora, or Indian Cedar .. 
 
 May 
 
 Adoration. 
 
 
 Cedar of Lebanon 
 
 Do. 
 
 Strength ; incorruptible. 
 
 
 Celandine 
 
 May, June .. 
 
 Joys to come. 
 
 
 Centaury 
 
 July, August 
 
 Delicacy. 
 
 
 Cereus, Creeping 
 
 Do 
 
 Modest genius. 
 
 
 Champignon (Mushroom) 
 
 
 Suspicion. 
 
 
 Chequered Fritillary 
 
 August 
 
 Persecution. 
 
 
 Cherry 
 
 May 
 
 Good education. 
 
 
 Chervil, Garden 
 
 May — June ... 
 
 Sincerity. 
 
 
 Chestnut 
 
 June 
 
 Do me justice. 
 
 
 Ghickweed 
 
 June — September 
 
 Rendezvous. 
 
 
 Chicory 
 
 riummer 
 
 Frugality. 
 
 
 China Aster, Double 
 
 July 
 
 I partake your sentiments. 
 
 
 Do., Single 
 
 Do. 
 
 I will think of it. 
 
 
 Chinese Chrysanthemum, Red 
 
 September— November 
 
 Cheerfulness under adversity. 
 
 
 Chinese Primrose 
 
 March— July 
 
 Lasting love. 
 
 
 Christmas Rose 
 
 December, January ... 
 
 Relieve my anxiety. 
 
 
 Chrysanthemum, Red 
 
 July— September 
 
 I love. 
 
 
 Chrysanthemum, White 
 
 Do. 
 
 Truth. 
 
 
 Do., Yellow 
 
 July 
 
 Slighted love. 
 
 
 Cineraria 
 
 Do. 
 
 Always delightful. 
 
 
 Cinquefoil 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Maternal affection. 
 
 
 Circcea 
 
 July 
 
 Spell. 
 
 
 Cistus, or Rock Rose 
 
 July, August 
 
 Popular favour. 
 
 
 Citron 
 
 June 
 
 Ill-natured beauty. [lights me. 
 
 Clarkia , ... 
 
 May— July ... 
 
 The variety of your conversation 
 
 de- 
 
 Clematis ... 
 
 August 
 
 Poverty. 
 
 
 Clianthus 
 
 May 
 
 Worldliness ; self-seeking. 
 
 
 Clover, Four-leaved 
 
 All summer ... 
 
 Be mine. 
 
 
 Do., Red 
 
 Do 
 
 Industry. 
 
 
 Do., White 
 
 Do 
 
 I think of thee. 
 
 
 Cloves ... 
 
 June 
 
 Dignity. 
 
 
 Cobcea 
 
 August 
 
 Gossip. 
 
 
 Cockscomb, or Crested Amaranth .. 
 
 June 
 
 Foppery ; affectation ; singularity. 
 
 
 Coltsfoot ... ■ 
 
 March, April 
 
 Justice shall be done. 
 
 
 Columbine 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Folly. 
 
 
 Do., Purple 
 
 June 
 
 Resolved to win. 
 
 
 i^- 
 
 -^ 
 
^- 
 
 246 
 
 The La7iguage of Flowers. 
 
 jriofajfts. 
 
 Columbine, Red . . 
 
 Common Cactus, or Indian Fig 
 Convolvulus 
 
 Do., Minor 
 
 Do., Major 
 
 Do., Pink 
 
 Corchorus 
 Coreopsis 
 
 Do., Arkansa 
 Coriander 
 Corn 
 
 Corn Cockle 
 Cornel ... 
 Coronilla 
 Cosmelia Rubra 
 Cowslip . . 
 
 Cowslip, American 
 Crab Blossom ... 
 Cranberry 
 Creeping Cereus 
 Crepis, Bearded 
 Cress 
 
 Crocus .-■ 
 Crown Imperial 
 Crowsfoot, Celery-leaved 
 Crowsfoot, Aconite-leaved 
 Cuckoo-fruit 
 Currant 
 Cuscuta 
 Cyclamen 
 Cypress 
 
 Daffodil 
 
 Dahlia 
 
 Daisy 
 
 Daisy, Michaelmas 
 
 Daisy, Parti-coIoured 
 
 Dandelion 
 
 Daphne 
 
 Daphne Odora ... 
 
 Day Lily 
 
 Dead leaves 
 
 Deadly Nightshade 
 
 Dew Plant 
 
 Dianthus 
 
 Diosma 
 
 Dipladenia Crassinoda 
 
 Dipteracanlhus Spectabilis 
 
 Dittany of Crete 
 
 Do., White 
 
 Dock 
 
 Dodder of Thyme 
 Dogsbane 
 
 Dogwood, or Cornel Tr 
 Dragon Plant ... 
 Dried Fla.x; 
 
 i^- 
 
 FA.STKK <jrANT 
 
 Ebony ... 
 
 Echites Atropurpurea 
 
 ifflonttis of Jflotoering. 
 
 June ... 
 
 Do. 
 
 May — August 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 July 
 
 September, October.. 
 
 Do. 
 June 
 Summer 
 June, July ... 
 June 
 
 Do. 
 
 May 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Do 
 
 May 
 June 
 
 July, August... 
 Summer 
 June — August 
 February 
 March 
 
 June — August 
 May— July ... 
 May, June ... 
 April, May ... 
 September ... 
 July 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 March, April 
 
 July, November 
 
 May — August 
 
 October 
 
 Autumn 
 
 All year 
 
 May 
 
 Do. 
 
 May, July ... 
 
 July, August 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 May, June 
 
 September ... 
 
 July 
 
 Do. 
 
 June 
 
 July, August 
 
 August, September . 
 
 August 
 
 June 
 
 May 
 
 June 
 
 July 
 
 Do. . . . 
 
 Do. 
 
 Senlimcnls. 
 
 Anxious and trembUng. 
 
 I burn. 
 
 Bonds. 
 
 Night ; repose. 
 
 Extinguished hopes, [affection. 
 
 Worth sustained by judicious and tender 
 
 Impatient of absence. 
 
 Alwa)'s cheerful. 
 
 Love at first sight. 
 
 Hidden worth ; concealed merit. 
 
 Riches. 
 
 Gentility. 
 
 Duration. 
 
 Success crown your wishes. 
 
 The charm of a blush. 
 
 Pensiveness ; winning grace. 
 
 Divine beauty ; pensiveness. 
 
 Ill nature. 
 
 Hardiness. 
 
 Horror. 
 
 Protection. 
 
 Stability ; power. 
 
 Smiles ; cheerfulness. 
 
 Majesty ; power. 
 
 Ingratitude. 
 
 Lustre. 
 
 Ardour. 
 
 Thy Irown will kill me. 
 
 Meanness. 
 
 Difftdence. 
 
 Death ; despair ; mourning ; sorrow. 
 
 Regard. 
 
 Instability. 
 
 Innocence ; beauty ; I will think of it. 
 
 Farewell. 
 
 Beauty. 
 
 Rustic oracle ; depart. 
 
 Glory ; immortality. 
 
 Painting the hly ; sweet to the sweet. 
 
 Coquetry 
 
 Sadness. 
 
 Falsehood. 
 
 A serenade. 
 
 Make haste. 
 
 ^■uu^ simple elegance charms me. 
 
 Vou are too bold. 
 
 Fortitude. 
 
 Birth. 
 
 Passion. 
 
 Patience. 
 
 Baseness. 
 
 Deceit. 
 
 Durability. 
 
 Snare ; the Betrayer. 
 
 Utihty. 
 
 Patience. 
 
 Blackness- 
 
 Be warned in tiir.c. 
 
^- 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 ^ 
 
 247 
 
 jFIotoers. 
 
 Eglantine (Sweetbriar) 
 
 Elder 
 
 Elm 
 
 Enchanter's Nightshade 
 Endive ... 
 Escholzia 
 Eupatorium 
 Evening Primrose 
 Everflowering Candytuft 
 Evergreen Thorn 
 Everlasting Pea 
 Eyet>right 
 
 FilNNEL 
 
 Fern 
 
 Ficoides (Ice Plant) 
 
 Fig 
 
 Fig, Marigold ... 
 
 Filbert 
 
 Fir 
 
 Fir, Spruce 
 
 Flax 
 
 Flax-leaved Goldylocks 
 Fleur-de-Lis 
 Flowering Fern 
 Fly Orchis 
 
 Fly-trap 
 
 Fool's Parsley ... 
 Forget-me-not ... 
 Foxglove 
 P'oxtail Grass ... 
 Frankincense ... 
 Franciscea Latifolia ... 
 
 Frog Ophrys 
 
 Fuller's Teasel ... 
 Full-blown Rose 
 
 Do., Eglantine 
 
 Fuchsia 
 
 Fumitory 
 
 Furze 
 
 Garden Chervil 
 Do., Ranunculus 
 
 Gardenia 
 
 Garland of Roses 
 
 Genista 
 
 Gentian 
 
 Geranium, Dark 
 Do., Ivy 
 Do., Lemon 
 Do., Nutmeg 
 Do. , Oak-leaved 
 Do., Pencilled ... 
 Do., Rose-scented 
 Do., Pmk 
 Do., Scarlet 
 Do. , Silver-leaved 
 Do., Speedwell ... 
 Do., Wild 
 
 Gladioli 
 
 iffiontt)0 of JFIotxrmng. 
 
 i^- 
 
 June, July ... 
 June 
 March 
 July, August 
 
 July 
 
 July, October 
 
 September, October... 
 
 July — September 
 
 April — July ... 
 
 May 
 
 July, August 
 
 August 
 
 July, August 
 
 July"' :;: ;;; 
 
 May 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 February 
 
 May 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 June, July 
 
 June 
 
 May 
 
 July 
 
 July, August 
 June — October 
 June, July 
 
 July 
 
 April 
 May 
 June 
 
 July 
 
 June, July 
 
 June — August 
 
 March 
 
 June 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 Do 
 
 June, July 
 
 May, June ... 
 August, September .. 
 Summer and autumn 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 May, June ... 
 All summer ... 
 June, July 
 
 Sentiments- 
 
 Poetry ; I wound to heal. 
 
 Zealousness. 
 
 Dignity. 
 
 Witchcraft ; sorcery. 
 
 Frugality. 
 
 Do not refuse me. 
 
 Delay. 
 
 Inconstancy. 
 
 Indifference. 
 
 Solace in adversity. 
 
 Lasting pleasure. 
 
 Visionary. 
 
 Worthy all praise ; strength. 
 
 Fascination ; magic ; sincerity. 
 
 Your looks freeze me. 
 
 Argument ; prolific. 
 
 Idleness. 
 
 Reconcihation. 
 
 Time ; elevation. 
 
 Farewell. [kindness. 
 
 Domestic industry ; fate ; I feel your 
 
 Tardiness. 
 
 Flame ; I bum ; message. 
 
 Reverie ; dreams. 
 
 Error. 
 
 Deceit. 
 
 Silhness. 
 
 True love ; forget me not. 
 
 Insincerity ; south. 
 
 Sporting. 
 
 Beware of false friends. 
 
 The incense of a faithful heart. 
 
 Disgust. 
 
 Misanthropy ; importunity. 
 
 Beauty. 
 
 Simplicity. 
 
 Taste. 
 
 Spleen. 
 
 Good temper. 
 
 Sincerity. 
 
 You are rich in attractions. 
 
 Refinement, 
 
 Reward of virtue. 
 
 Neatness. 
 
 Virgin pride. 
 
 Melancholy. 
 
 Bridal favour. 
 
 Unexpected meeting. 
 
 Expected meeting. 
 
 True friendship. 
 
 Ingenuity. 
 
 Preference. 
 
 Preference. 
 
 Comforting ; stupidity. 
 
 Recall. 
 
 Facility. 
 
 Steadfast piety. 
 
 Ready-armed. 
 
 -^ 
 
w- 
 
 ^ 
 
 248 
 
 T/ic Language of Flowers. 
 
 JTIoiDErs. 
 
 ^. 
 
 Gillyflower 
 
 Goat's Beard 
 
 Goat's Rue 
 
 Golden Rod 
 
 Good King Henry 
 
 Gooseberry 
 
 Gorse, or Furze 
 
 Gourd 
 
 Grammanthes Clilorcefiora .. 
 
 Grass 
 
 Great Bindweed 
 
 Guelder Rose ... 
 
 Guernsey Lily ... 
 
 Guinea-hen B'^lower 
 
 Hair Grass 
 
 Harebell... 
 
 Hawkweed 
 
 Hawthorn 
 
 Hazel 
 
 Heart's-ease, or Pansy 
 
 Heath 
 
 Helenium 
 
 Hehotrope 
 
 Hellebore 
 
 Helmet Flower (Monkshood) 
 
 Hemlock 
 
 Hemp 
 
 Henbane 
 
 Hepatica 
 
 Herb Robert 
 
 Hibiscus 
 
 Holly 
 
 Hollyhock 
 Honesty ... 
 Honey Flower ... 
 Honeysuckle, or Woodbine ,. 
 
 Honeysuckle, Coral 
 
 Do. French ... 
 
 Hop 
 
 Horehound 
 
 Hornbean 
 Horse Chestnut 
 Horseleek 
 
 Hortensia 
 
 Hounds Tongue 
 Houstonia 
 
 Hoya 
 
 Hoyabella 
 
 Hyacinth 
 
 Hydrangea 
 
 Hyssop 
 
 ICK Plant (FicoiDES) 
 Indian Cedar ... 
 
 Do. Cress 
 
 Do. Jasmine (Ipomcea) 
 Iris 
 Ivy 
 
 fHontl)0 of Jflofaaering. 
 
 Sentiments. 
 
 
 May 
 
 FideHty in adversity. 
 
 
 July 
 
 Fickleness. 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 Reason. 
 
 
 July — September 
 
 Precaution. 
 
 
 August 
 
 Goodness. 
 
 
 May 
 
 Anticipation. 
 
 
 June 
 
 Love for all seasons. 
 Extent ; bulk. 
 
 
 July'" :;: 
 
 Your, temper is too hasty. 
 Submission. 
 
 
 July, August 
 
 Dangerous insinuation. 
 
 
 May 
 
 Winter ; age. 
 
 
 September ... 
 
 Pride ; haughtiness. 
 
 
 June 
 
 Gambhng. 
 
 
 June, July ... 
 July, August 
 
 Discord. 
 
 
 Delicate and lovely as this flower 
 
 
 Do 
 
 Quicksightedness. 
 
 
 May 
 
 Hope. 
 
 
 March 
 
 Reconciliation. 
 
 
 May — September 
 
 You occupy my thoughts. 
 
 
 March — July 
 
 Solitude. 
 
 
 August, September ... 
 
 Tears. 
 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Devotion; I turn to thee ; faithfulness. 
 
 March, April 
 
 Scandal ; calumny. 
 
 
 June, July 
 
 Knight-errantry ; chivalry. 
 
 
 Do 
 
 You will be my death. 
 
 
 June 
 
 Fate. 
 
 
 June — August 
 
 Imperfection. 
 
 
 March 
 
 Confidence, 
 
 
 July 
 
 Piety. 
 
 
 June, October 
 
 Dehcate beauty. 
 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 Foresight. 
 
 
 June — September 
 
 Ambition ; fecundity. 
 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 Honesty ; fascination. 
 
 
 June 
 
 Love swtet and secret. 
 
 
 June, July, October ... 
 
 Generous and devoted affection ; 
 
 ness of disposition. 
 
 sweet- 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 The colour of my fate. 
 
 
 Do 
 
 Rustic beauty. 
 
 
 July 
 
 Injustice. 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 Frozen kindness. 
 
 
 March 
 
 Ornament. 
 
 
 May 
 
 Luxury. 
 
 
 July 
 
 \'ivacity. 
 
 
 April — July ... 
 
 You are cold. 
 
 
 July 
 
 Dispersion. 
 
 
 [une, July 
 
 Content. 
 
 
 Julv 
 
 Sculpture. 
 
 
 Do'. 
 
 Contentment. 
 
 
 March 
 
 Sport ; game ; play. 
 
 
 January 
 
 A boaster ; heartlessness. 
 
 
 June, July 
 
 Cleanhness. 
 
 
 July 
 
 Your looks freeze me. 
 
 
 May 
 
 Adoration. 
 
 
 July — October 
 
 Warlike trophy ; resignation. 
 
 
 July— September 
 
 Attachment. 
 
 
 March— August 
 
 Me^sat;e. 
 
 
 October, November... 
 
 Fidel. ty ; marriage. 
 
 
-^ 
 
 fr 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 249 
 
 iflotoree. 
 
 iWontliB of Jlloiucrina. 
 
 ientimenta. 
 
 Ivy, Spri5 of, with tendrils 
 
 Assiduous to please. 
 
 _ AcoB's Ladder 
 
 Japan Rose 
 
 June— July ... 
 
 Come down. 
 
 All summer ... 
 
 Beauty is your only attraction. 
 
 Jasmine, White 
 
 June, October 
 
 Amiability. - 
 
 Do., Cape 
 
 May— July ... 
 
 Transport of joy. 
 
 Do., Carolina 
 
 Do 
 
 Separation. 
 
 Do., Indian 
 
 Do 
 
 Attachment. 
 
 Do., Spanish 
 
 Do 
 
 Sensuality. 
 
 Do., Yellow 
 
 July — September 
 
 Grace and elegance. 
 
 Jonquil 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 I desire a return of affection. 
 
 Judas Tree 
 
 May 
 
 Betrayal ; unbelief 
 
 Juniper ... 
 
 Do. 
 
 Succour ; protection ; asylum. 
 
 Justicia 
 
 July 
 
 Perfection of female loveliness. 
 
 Kennedta 
 
 July, August 
 
 Mental beauty. 
 
 Kingcup 
 
 May 
 
 Desire of riches. 
 
 Laburnum 
 
 May 
 
 Forsaken ; pensive beauty. 
 
 Lady's Slipper 
 
 June 
 
 Capricious beauty; win me and wear me. 
 
 Do. Smock ... 
 
 April 
 
 Quiet my heart. 
 
 LagerstrEemia, Indian 
 
 Juiy 
 
 Eloquence. 
 
 Lantana 
 
 June 
 
 Rigour. 
 
 Lapageria Rosea 
 
 May 
 
 There is no unalloyed good. 
 
 Larch 
 
 March 
 
 Audacity ; boldness. 
 
 Larkspur 
 
 June 
 
 Lightness ; levity. 
 
 Do., Pink 
 
 Do. 
 
 Fickleness. 
 
 Do., Purple 
 
 July 
 
 Haughtiness. 
 
 Laurel, or Bay Tree ... 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Glory. 
 
 Do., Common, in flower 
 
 Do 
 
 Perfidy. 
 
 Laurel-leaved Magnolia 
 
 >ly 
 
 3ecember ... 
 
 Dignity. 
 
 Laurestine 
 
 A token ; I die if neglected. 
 
 Lavender 
 
 July — September 
 
 Distrust ; assiduity. 
 
 Leaves, Dead ... 
 
 
 Melancholy. 
 
 Lemon ... 
 
 une 
 
 Zest ; fidelity. 
 
 Leschenaultia Splendens 
 
 "Do. 
 
 You are charming. 
 
 Lesser Celandine 
 
 May^uly ... 
 
 Prodigahty. 
 
 Lettuce 
 
 June 
 
 Cold-heartedness. 
 
 Lichen 
 
 ... 
 
 Dejection ; sohtude. 
 
 Lilac 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Forsaken. 
 
 Do., Field 
 
 Do 
 
 Humility. 
 
 Do., Purple 
 
 Do 
 
 First emotions of love. 
 
 Do., White 
 
 Do 
 
 Youthful innocence. 
 
 Lily, Day 
 
 May— July ... 
 
 Coquetry ; emblem of France. 
 
 Do., White 
 
 Tune 
 
 Purity ; sweetness. 
 
 Do., Yellow 
 
 Do. 
 
 Falsehood ; gaiety. [sweetness. 
 
 Lily of the Valley 
 
 May 
 
 Return of happiness ; unconscious 
 
 Lime, or Linden ... ... . . 
 
 July 
 
 Conjugal Love. 
 
 Ling ... ... ... .-- . ■ 
 
 April 
 
 Solitude. 
 
 Liverwort 
 
 
 Confidence. 
 
 Lobelia... 
 
 August, September ... 
 
 Malevolence ; arrogance. 
 
 Locust Tree, Green 
 
 May 
 
 Affection beyond the grave. 
 
 London Pride ... 
 
 Tune 
 
 Frivolity. 
 
 Lote Tree 
 
 Do. 
 
 Concord. 
 
 Lotus 
 
 June — August 
 
 Eloquence ; estranged love ; silence. 
 
 Do. Leaf 
 
 June— September 
 
 Recantation. 
 
 Love in a mist ... 
 
 July — November 
 
 Perplexity. 
 
 Love lies bleeding 
 
 Tuly, August 
 
 Hopeless ; not heartless. 
 
 Lucern ... 
 
 June 
 
 Life. 
 
 Lupine ... 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 Voraciousness ; imagination. 
 
 '^ 
 
 2 I 
 
^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 250 
 
 T/ie Language of Flowers. 
 
 Jlofaets. 
 
 Lychnis (Flos-circuli) .. 
 Ly thrum 
 
 Madder 
 
 Madwort, Rock 
 
 Maize 
 
 Magnoha 
 
 Mallow 
 
 Do., Marsh 
 
 Do., Syrian 
 Do., Venetian 
 Do., Creeana ... 
 Manchineal Tree 
 
 Mandrake 
 
 Maple 
 Do., Sugar 
 Marigold 
 
 Do., African 
 
 Do., French 
 
 Do., Prophetic 
 
 Marigold and Cypress 
 
 Marjoram 
 Marvel of Peru 
 
 May Rose 
 
 Meadow Lychnis 
 
 Meadow Saffron 
 
 Meadowsweet 
 
 Mercury 
 
 Mesembryanthemum 
 
 Mezereon 
 
 Michaelmas Daisy 
 
 Mignonette 
 
 Milfoil 
 
 Milkvetch 
 
 Mint ... . - ' ... 
 
 Mistletoe 
 
 Mitraria Coccinea 
 
 Mock Orange . 
 
 Monkshood 
 
 Moonwort 
 
 Morning Glory 
 
 Moschatel 
 
 Moss 
 
 Moss Rose 
 Motherwort 
 Mountain Ash ... 
 Mouse-eared Chickweed 
 Mouse-ear, or Scorpion Grass 
 
 Moving Plant 
 
 Mudwort 
 Mugwort 
 
 Mulberry Tree, Black 
 Do., White 
 
 Mushroom 
 
 iMusk Plant 
 Mustard Seed ... 
 
 Myrobalan 
 
 Myrrh 
 
 Myrtle 
 
 fHontijES flf jnotoirrmg. 
 
 S-mtimeuts. 
 
 July 
 
 Religious enthusiasm ; wit. 
 
 August 
 
 Pretension. 
 
 June — August 
 
 Calumny. 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Tranquillity. 
 
 June 
 
 Plenty. 
 
 |une— August 
 
 Love of nature. 
 
 Do 
 
 Mildness ; sweet disposition. 
 
 August, September ... 
 
 Beneficence ; humanity. 
 
 June 
 
 Consumed by love. 
 
 August 
 
 Delicate beauty. 
 
 June 
 
 Will you share my fortunes ? 
 
 May 
 
 Falsehood. 
 
 May, Tune ... 
 
 Horror. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Reserve. 
 
 April 
 
 Sweetness of disposition. 
 
 June, July, Oct., Nov. 
 
 Grief; uneasiness. 
 
 August — November ... 
 
 Vulgar minds. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Jealousy. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Prediction. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Despair. 
 
 July, August 
 
 Blushes. 
 
 August 
 
 Timidity. 
 
 May ... . . 
 
 Precocity. 
 
 July, August 
 
 Wit. 
 
 September, October... 
 
 My best days are past. 
 
 July, August .. 
 
 Uselessness. 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Goodness. 
 
 June — October 
 
 Idleness. 
 
 March 
 
 Desire to please ; coquette. 
 
 October 
 
 Afterthoui^ht ; cheerfulness in old age. 
 
 June, October 
 
 Your qualities surpass your charms. 
 
 June — September 
 
 War. 
 
 June — August . . 
 
 Hermitage. 
 
 August, September ... 
 
 Virtue. 
 
 March— Mav 
 
 T surmount difficulties. 
 
 July 
 
 Indolence ; dulness. 
 
 May 
 
 Counterfeit. 
 
 Tune 
 
 Chivalry ; knight-errantry. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Forgetfulness. 
 
 June— September 
 
 Affectation. 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Weakness. 
 
 
 Ennui. 
 
 June 
 
 Voluptuous love. 
 
 August 
 
 Concealed love. 
 
 May 
 
 Prudence ; with me you are safe. 
 
 All summer ... 
 
 Ingenuous; sunplicity. 
 
 June — October 
 
 July 
 
 Forget me not. 
 
 Agitation. 
 
 July, August 
 
 TranquiUity ; happiness. 
 
 July — September 
 
 Happmess. 
 
 Tune 
 
 I shall not survive you. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Wisdom. 
 
 
 Suspicion. 
 
 June — Au.t^u^t 
 
 Weakness. 
 
 
 Indifference, 
 
 April 
 
 Privation. 
 
 May 
 
 Gladness. 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Mildness ; love. 
 
 ^- 
 
^ 
 
 ■^ 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 =51 
 
 Jlotocrs. 
 
 ilflonilis of Jfloixtcrirrg. 
 March, April 
 
 ScnttmEntg. 
 
 Narcissus 
 
 Egotism ; self-esteem. 
 
 Nasturtium 
 
 June, August 
 
 Patriotism ; splendour. 
 
 Nettle, Burning 
 
 July, August 
 
 Slander ; cruelty. 
 
 Nettle Tree 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Concert. [tion. 
 
 Night-blooming Cereus 
 
 Autumn 
 
 Transient beauty ; wealth of true affec- 
 
 Nightshade, or Bittersweet 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Truth ; silence ; hush ! 
 
 Oak 
 
 May 
 
 Bravery. 
 
 Oak, White 
 
 Do. 
 
 Independence. 
 
 Oats 
 
 June 
 
 The witching soul of music. 
 
 Oleander 
 
 October 
 
 Beware. 
 
 Olive 
 
 July 
 
 Peace. 
 
 Orange 
 
 June 
 
 Chastity ; bridal festivities. 
 
 Orchis 
 
 Summer 
 
 A belle. 
 
 Osier 
 
 April 
 
 Frankness. 
 
 Osmunda 
 
 July 
 
 Dreams ; reverie. 
 
 Ox-eye ... 
 
 June, July, Oct., Nov. 
 
 Patience ; a token. 
 
 CaUiopsis 
 
 June, July . . 
 
 Beautiful eyes. 
 
 Palm 
 
 
 Victory. 
 
 Pansy 
 
 May — September 
 
 Thoughts ; you occupy my thoughts. 
 
 Parsley ... 
 
 July 
 
 Festivity ; have won. 
 
 Pasque Flower 
 
 May 
 
 You have no claims. 
 
 Passion Flower 
 
 July, September 
 
 Religious superstition. 
 
 Patience Dock 
 
 July 
 
 Patience. 
 
 Pea, Everlasting 
 
 August 
 
 An appointed meeting ; lasting pleasure. 
 
 Do., Sweet 
 
 June, July 
 
 Departure ; delicate pleasures. 
 
 Peach 
 
 April 
 
 I am your captive. 
 
 Pear 
 
 May 
 
 Affection ; comfort. 
 
 Pentstemon Azureum ... 
 
 July — September 
 
 High-bred. 
 
 Pennyroyal 
 
 July, August... 
 
 Flee away. 
 
 Peony 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 Shame ; bashfulness. 
 
 Pepper Plant 
 
 July 
 
 Satire. 
 
 Peppermint 
 
 August 
 
 Warmth of feeling. 
 
 Periwinkle, Blue 
 
 May— July ... 
 
 Early friendship. 
 
 Do., White 
 
 July 
 
 Pleasures of memory. 
 
 Persicaria, or Snake-weed 
 
 June 
 
 Restoration. 
 
 Peruvian Heliotrope ... 
 
 July 
 
 Devotion. 
 
 Petunia 
 
 July, August... 
 
 Your presence soothes me. 
 
 Pheasant's-eye, or Adonis 
 
 September, October... 
 
 Sad memories ; remembrance. 
 
 Phlox 
 
 July, August... 
 
 Unanimity. 
 
 Pigeonberry 
 
 
 Indifference. 
 
 Pimpernel 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Change ; assignation. 
 
 Pine 
 
 May 
 
 Pity. 
 
 Pine Apple 
 
 April 
 
 You are perfect. 
 
 Pine, Pitch 
 
 Spring 
 
 Philosophy. 
 
 Pine, Spruce ... 
 
 Do. 
 
 Hope in adversity. 
 
 Pink 
 
 July, August 
 
 Boldness. 
 
 Pink Carnation 
 
 Do 
 
 Woman's love. 
 
 Pink, Indian Double 
 
 Do 
 
 Always lovely. 
 
 Do., do.. Single 
 
 Do 
 
 Aversion. 
 
 Do., Mountain 
 
 July 
 
 Aspiring. 
 
 Do., Red Double 
 
 July, August 
 
 Pure and ardent love. 
 
 Do,, Single . . 
 
 Do 
 
 Pure love. 
 
 Do., Variegated 
 
 Do 
 
 Refusal. 
 
 Do., White 
 
 Do 
 
 Ingeniousness ; talent. 
 
 Plantain 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 White man's footsteps. 
 
 Plane Tree 
 
 April 
 
 Genius. 
 
 Plum Tree 
 
 April 
 
 Fidehty. 
 
 Plum, Wild 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Independence. 
 
w 
 
 ^ 
 
 252 
 
 T/ie Laiigjiage of Flowers, 
 
 jnobjers. 
 
 Plumbago Larpentce ... 
 Polyanthus 
 
 Do., Crimson 
 Do., Lilac . . 
 
 Pomegranate ... 
 Pompon Rose ... 
 
 Poplar, Black 
 
 Do., White 
 
 Poppy, Red 
 
 Do. Scarlet 
 
 Do. White 
 
 Potato 
 
 Prickly Pear 
 Primrose 
 
 Do., Evening 
 
 Do., Red 
 
 Privet 
 
 Purple Clover 
 Purple Sandwort 
 Pyrus Japonica ... 
 
 Quaker Grass 
 QuamocHt 
 Queen's Rocket... 
 Quince 
 
 Ranunculus, Wild ... 
 Raspberry 
 Ray Grass 
 Red Bay 
 
 RedCatchfiy 
 
 Red Mulberry ... 
 
 Red Pine 
 
 Red Pink 
 Reed 
 
 Do. Split 
 
 Rhododendron, or Bay Rose 
 
 Rhubarb 
 
 Rock Rose, or Cistus 
 
 Rose 
 
 Do., Acacia 
 Do., Austrian ... 
 
 Do., Bridal 
 
 Do., Burgundy 
 Do., Cabbage ... 
 Do., Campion ... . . 
 
 Do., Carolma ... 
 Do , China 
 Do., Christmas 
 
 Do., Daily 
 
 Do., Damask ... 
 Do., Deep Red 
 
 Do., Dog 
 
 Do., Full-blown 
 
 Do., Guelder 
 
 Do., Hundred-leaved 
 Do., Japan 
 
 Do., Maiden Blush 
 
 Do., Multiflora 
 
 Do., Mundi 
 
 ifflantijg of jflotoering. 
 
 fe^- 
 
 May 
 
 May . . 
 
 August 
 
 Do. 
 June 
 May 
 
 July, August... 
 Summer 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 June — -August 
 June — July ... 
 July 
 
 March— October 
 December, January 
 Summer 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 June, July ... 
 Summer 
 May 
 Summer 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do 
 
 July 
 Summer 
 
 June 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Holy wishes. 
 
 Pride of riches ; confidence. 
 
 Do 
 
 The heart's mystery. 
 
 Do 
 
 Confidence. 
 
 August 
 
 Foolishness. 
 
 May 
 
 Prettiness. 
 
 .March 
 
 Cotirage. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Time. 
 
 June 
 
 Consolation. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Fantastic extravagance. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Sleep ; ray bane ; my antidote. 
 
 July 
 
 Benevolence. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Satire. 
 
 March— May 
 
 Early youth. 
 
 July — September 
 
 Inconstancy. 
 
 May 
 
 Unpatronised merit. 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 Prohibition ; defence. 
 
 All summer ... 
 
 Provident. 
 
 August 
 
 Hatred, 
 
 February, October ... 
 
 Fairies' fire. 
 
 June 
 
 Agitation. 
 
 lune— September 
 
 Busybody. 
 
 June 
 
 You are the queen of coquettes; fashion 
 
 May 
 
 Temptation. 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 Ingratitude. 
 
 Do 
 
 Remorse ; envy. 
 
 Vice. 
 
 Love's memory. 
 
 Very dangerous. 
 
 Wisdom. 
 
 Penitence. 
 
 Lively and pure love. 
 
 Complaisance ; music. 
 
 Indiscretion. 
 
 Danger ; beware. 
 
 Advice. 
 
 Popular favour. [England. 
 
 Love ; genteel ; pretty ; emblem of 
 
 Elegance. 
 
 Thou art all that is lovely. 
 
 Happy love. 
 
 Unconscious beauty. 
 
 Ambassador of love. 
 
 Only deserve my love. 
 
 Love is dangerous. 
 
 Beauty always new. 
 
 Relieve my anxiety. 
 
 Thy smile I aspire to. 
 
 Brilliant complexion. 
 
 Bashful shame. 
 
 Pleasure and pain. 
 
 Beauty. 
 
 Winter ; age. 
 
 Pride; dignity of mind. 
 
 Beauty is your only attraction. 
 
 If you love me, you will find it out. 
 
 Grace. 
 
 Variety. 
 
 -^ 
 
^- 
 
 ■^ 
 
 Tfie Language of Flowers. 
 
 253 
 
 Jlofaeta. 
 
 iHIliiniljB o£ iFloiBjring. 
 July, September 
 
 Smtimmta. 
 
 Rose, Musk 
 
 Capricious beauty. 
 
 Do., Musk Cluster 
 
 Summer 
 
 Charming. 
 
 Do., Pompon . 
 
 May 
 
 Prettiness. 
 
 Do., Single 
 
 Summer 
 
 Simphcity. 
 
 Do., Thornless 
 
 Do 
 
 Early attachment. 
 
 Do., Unique 
 
 Do 
 
 Call me not beautiful. 
 
 Do., White ".'. 
 
 Do 
 
 I am worthy of you. 
 
 Do., White and withered 
 
 
 Transient impressions. 
 
 Do., Yellow 
 
 June 
 
 Decrease of love ; jealousy ; infidelity. 
 
 Do., York and Lancaster 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Union. 
 
 Do., Full-blown, placed over two 
 
 
 
 buds 
 
 
 Secrecy, 
 
 Do., White and Red together 
 
 
 Unity. 
 
 Roses, Crown of 
 
 
 Reward of virtue. 
 
 Rosebud, Red 
 
 
 Pure and lovely. 
 
 Do., White 
 
 
 Girlhood ; heart ignorant of love. 
 
 Roseleaf 
 
 
 You may hope. 
 
 Rosebud Moss 
 
 Tune 
 
 Confession of love. 
 
 Rosebay, Rhododendron 
 
 Do. 
 
 Beware ; danger. 
 
 Rosebay, Willow Herb 
 
 July 
 
 Celibacy ; fidelity. 
 
 Rosemary 
 
 February 
 
 Remembrance. 
 
 Rudbeckia 
 
 August 
 
 Justice, 
 
 Rue 
 
 Do 
 
 Disdain. 
 
 Rush 
 
 July 
 
 DociUty, 
 
 Rye Grass 
 
 May 
 
 Changeable disposition. 
 
 Buddlea 
 
 Summer 
 
 Good looks. 
 
 Saffron 
 
 September ... 
 
 Beware of excess. 
 
 Sage, Wild 
 
 June — August 
 
 Domestic virtue. 
 
 Sage, Garden 
 
 July 
 
 ' une, July ... 
 
 Esteem. 
 
 Sainfoin 
 
 Agitation. 
 
 Saint John's Wort 
 
 June — October 
 
 Animosity ; superstition. 
 
 Salvia, Blue 
 
 August, September ... 
 
 Wisdom. 
 
 Do., Red 
 
 Do. 
 
 Energy. 
 
 Sandwort, Purple 
 
 August 
 
 Hatred. 
 
 Saxifrage, Mossy 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Affection ; maternal love. 
 
 Scabious 
 
 July — August 
 
 Unfortunate love. 
 
 Do., Sweet 
 
 July — September 
 
 Widowhood. 
 
 Scarlet Auricula 
 
 April 
 
 Avarice. 
 
 Scarlet Lychnis 
 
 July, August 
 
 Sunbeaming eyes. 
 
 Schinus 
 
 July 
 
 Religious enthusiasm. 
 
 Scotch Fir 
 
 Spring 
 
 Elevation. [feelings. 
 
 Sensitive Plant 
 
 June 
 
 Sensibility ; bashful modesty ; dehcate 
 
 Shamrock 
 
 July 
 
 Lightheartedness ; emblem of Ireland. 
 
 Shepherd's Purse 
 
 March, April 
 
 I offer you my all. 
 
 Siberian Crab 
 
 May 
 
 Deeply interesting. 
 
 Silver Fir 
 
 Spring 
 
 Elevation. 
 
 Small White Bell-flower 
 
 July, September 
 
 Gratitude, 
 
 Smooth Sowthistle 
 
 July 
 
 Calf love. 
 
 Snakesfoot 
 
 April 
 
 Horror. 
 
 Snapdragon 
 
 June — August 
 
 Presumption ; " No." 
 
 Snowball 
 
 July— September 
 
 Bound. 
 
 Snowdrop ... 
 
 January, February ... 
 
 Hope. 
 
 Sorrel 
 
 lune, luly 
 
 Wit ill timed. 
 
 Southernwood 
 
 July 
 
 Jest ; bantering. 
 
 Sowthistle, Smooth .!. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Calf love. 
 
 Spanish Jasmine 
 
 April 
 
 Sensuality. 
 
 Spear-Mint 
 
 August 
 
 Warmth of sentiment. 
 
 Speedwell 
 
 May, August 
 
 Female fidelity. 
 
 Spider Ophrys 
 
 May 
 
 Adroitness. 
 
 i^- 
 
 ^ 
 
^ 
 
 -^ 
 
 254 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 Jlofajfrg* 
 
 Plonltis of Jlobimng. 
 
 Sentimenfa. 
 
 Spiderwort 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 Esteem not love ; transient happiness. 
 
 Spindle Tree 
 
 May 
 
 Your charms are engraven on my heart. 
 
 Spiroca 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Uselessness. 
 
 Spruce Fir . . 
 
 Spring 
 
 Farewell. 
 
 Squirting Cucumber .. 
 
 _ une, July ... 
 
 Critic. 
 
 Star of Bethlehem 
 
 June 
 
 Purity. 
 
 Starwort 
 
 August, September ... 
 
 Afterthought. [stranger. 
 
 Starwort, American ... 
 
 May — October 
 
 Cheerfulness in old age ; welcome to a 
 
 Stinging Nettle 
 
 July, August 
 
 Slander ; cruelty. 
 
 Stitchwort 
 
 January— July . . 
 
 Captivating purity. 
 
 Stock, or Gillyflower ... 
 
 June — August 
 
 Lasting beauty ; bonds of affection. 
 
 Stock, Ten-week 
 
 May — November 
 
 Promptness. 
 
 Stonecrop 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Tranquillity. 
 
 Straw, Broken ... 
 
 
 Rupture of a contract. 
 
 Do., Whole 
 
 
 Union. 
 
 Strawberry- 
 
 May 
 
 Foresight ; perfect goodness. 
 
 Strawberry Tree, or Arbutus 
 
 September, October... 
 
 Esteem and love. 
 
 Sundew 
 
 July, August 
 
 Greed. 
 
 Sunflower 
 
 July — September 
 
 False riches. 
 
 Do., Dwarf 
 
 August, September ... 
 
 Adoration ;-your devoted adorer. 
 
 Swallow- wort 
 
 _ uly 
 
 Medicine ; cure for heartache. 
 
 Sweet Basil 
 
 July, August 
 
 Good wishes. 
 
 Sweet Briar 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Poetry ; I wound to heal. 
 
 Sweet Flag 
 
 June 
 
 Fitness. 
 
 Sweet Pea 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Delicate pleasures ; departure. 
 
 Sweet Sultan 
 
 August 
 
 Felicity. 
 
 Sweet WiUiam 
 
 July 
 
 Gallantry. 
 
 Sweet-scented Tussilage 
 
 March 
 
 You shall have justice. 
 
 Sycamore 
 
 April 
 
 Meet me. 
 
 Syringa 
 
 May, June ... 
 
 Memory. 
 
 Syringa, Carolina 
 
 Do 
 
 Disappointment. 
 
 Tamarisk 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Crime. 
 
 Tansy, Wild 
 
 August 
 
 I declare war against you. 
 
 Teasel 
 
 July 
 
 Misanthropy. 
 
 Tendrils of climbing plants 
 
 
 Lies. 
 
 Ten-week Stock 
 
 May— November 
 
 Promptness. 
 
 Thistle 
 
 July 
 
 Austerity. 
 
 Thistle, Scotch 
 
 July, August 
 
 Retaliation; emblem of Scotland. 
 
 Thorn Apple 
 
 August 
 
 Deceitful charms. 
 
 Thorn, Branch of 
 
 
 Severity. 
 
 Thrift 
 
 uly, August 
 
 Sympathy ; -mutual sensibility. 
 
 Throatwort 
 
 July 
 
 Neglected beauty. 
 
 Thyme 
 
 uly 
 
 Activity ; courage. 
 
 Tiger Flower 
 
 July — September 
 
 For once may pride befriend me. 
 
 Traveller's Joy, or Clematis ... 
 
 August 
 
 Poverty ; safety. 
 
 Tree of Life 
 
 May 
 
 Old Age, 
 
 Trefoil (Birdsroot) 
 
 uly, August 
 
 Revenge. 
 
 Trillium Pictum 
 
 "\Iay, June ... 
 
 Modest beauty. 
 
 Triptilion Spinosum ... 
 
 July 
 
 Be prudent. 
 
 Truffle 
 
 
 Surprise. 
 
 Trumpet Flower 
 
 June 
 
 Separation ; fame. [lovely girl. 
 
 Tuberose 
 
 August 
 
 Dangerous pleasures ; I have seen a 
 
 Tulip 
 
 April 
 
 Fame. 
 
 Do., Red 
 
 Do. 
 
 Declaration of love. 
 
 Tulip Tree 
 
 June 
 
 Fame. 
 
 Do., Variegated 
 
 April 
 
 Beautiful eyes. 
 
 Do., Yellow 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 Hopeless love. 
 
 Turnip 
 
 Spring 
 
 Charity. 
 
 Tussilage, Sweet-scented 
 
 March, April 
 
 Justice shall be done you. 
 
The Language of Flowers. 
 
 ^ 
 
 2SS 
 
 JloiDEtB. 
 
 fr- 
 
 Ulex, Furze, or Gorse 
 
 Valerian Spur 
 Valerian, Greek 
 Venice Sumach 
 Venus's Looking-glass 
 Do. Trap ... 
 
 Verbena 
 
 Do., Pink 
 
 Do., Scarlet 
 Do., White 
 Veronica 
 Vervain, or Wild Verbena 
 
 Vetch, Bush 
 
 Vine 
 
 Do., Wild 
 
 Violet, Blue 
 
 Do., Dame ... 
 
 Do., Sweet ... 
 
 Do., White 
 
 Do , Yellow ... 
 Virginian Creeper 
 Virginian Spiderwort ... 
 Virgin's Bower ... 
 Viscaria Oculata 
 Volkameria 
 
 Wake Robin 
 
 Walnut 
 
 Wall-flower 
 Water-lily, White 
 
 Wheat 
 
 Whin 
 
 White Jasmine 
 
 White Lilac 
 
 White Lily 
 
 White Mulberry 
 
 White Mullein 
 
 White Pink 
 
 White Poplar ... 
 White Poppy ... 
 
 White Rose 
 
 Do., Withered ... 
 
 White Thorn 
 
 White Violet 
 
 Whortleberry ... 
 Wild Liquorice 
 
 Wild Spinach 
 
 Willow 
 
 Do., Herb 
 
 Winter Cherry ... 
 Wistaria 
 
 Witch Hazel 
 
 Wolfsbane 
 Wood Anemone 
 Woodbine 
 Wood Sorrel 
 Wormwood 
 
 Xanthium 
 
 ilHontlja of iFloinerinB. 
 
 February, June 
 
 June 
 
 July 
 
 August, September , 
 
 July 
 
 Do. 
 
 July, August 
 
 Do 
 
 July — September 
 
 Do 
 
 April — October 
 
 July, August 
 
 July 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 June 
 
 April 
 
 May, June . 
 
 March, April 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Do. 
 May, June ... 
 
 Do. 
 June 
 September ... 
 
 Summer 
 April 
 May 
 July 
 Summer 
 June, July ... 
 June, October 
 April, May ... 
 June 
 Do. 
 July, August 
 Summer 
 March 
 
 J™e 
 
 Summer 
 
 Spring 
 
 April, May ... 
 
 May 
 
 July 
 
 June 
 
 March, April 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 July, August 
 
 May 
 
 Do. 
 
 June, July ... 
 
 Spring 
 
 June — October 
 
 May 
 
 July — September 
 
 July 
 
 Sentimenta. 
 
 Love for all seasons. 
 
 An accommodating disposition. 
 
 Rupture. 
 
 Intellectual excellence. 
 
 Flattery, 
 
 Deceit. 
 
 Sensibility. 
 
 Family union. 
 
 Unite against evil, or church unity. 
 
 Pray for me. 
 
 Keep this for my sake. 
 
 Enchantment. 
 
 Shyness. 
 
 Intoxication. 
 
 Foolishness. 
 
 Faithfulness. 
 
 Watchfulness. 
 
 Modesty. 
 
 Purity of sentiment. 
 
 Rural happiness. 
 
 I chng to you both in sunshine andshade. 
 
 Momentary happiness. 
 
 Filial love ; artifice. 
 
 Will you dance with me. 
 
 May you be happy. 
 
 Ardour. 
 
 Intellect ; stratagem. 
 Fidelity in adversity. 
 Purity of heart. 
 Riches. 
 
 Enduring affection. 
 Amiableness. 
 Youthful Innocence. 
 Purity and modesty. 
 Wisdom. 
 Good nature. 
 Talent, 
 Time. 
 
 Sleep ; my bane ; my antidote. 
 I am worthy of you. 
 Transient impressions. 
 Hope. 
 
 Purity of sentiment. 
 Treachery. 
 
 Your presence softens my pain. 
 Goodness. 
 Forsaken. 
 Celibacy ; fidelity. 
 Deception. 
 
 Welcome, fair stranger. 
 Spell bound. 
 Misanthropy ; chivalry. 
 Sickness. [ness of disposition. 
 
 Generous and devoted affection ; sweet- 
 Joy- 
 Absence ; bitterness. 
 
 Rudeness ; pertinacity. 
 
^■ 
 
 ■^f' 
 
 256 
 
 T/ie Language of Floivers. 
 
 JlofattS. 
 
 iiBonHjB of JFIotutting. 
 
 ^cntintEntc. 
 
 Xeranthemum ... 
 
 July 
 
 Cheerfulness under adversity. 
 
 Yarrow 
 
 August 
 
 War. 
 
 Yellow Carnation 
 
 Summer 
 
 Disdain. 
 
 Yellow Day-lily 
 
 Do 
 
 Coquetry. 
 
 Yellow Gentian 
 
 Tune, July ... 
 
 Ingratitude. 
 
 Yellow Iris 
 
 July 
 
 Fiame of love. 
 
 Yellow Jasmine 
 
 July— September 
 
 Grace and elegance. 
 
 Yellow !.^ily 
 
 Summer 
 
 Falsehood ; Gaiety. 
 
 Yellow Rose 
 
 Do. 
 
 Infidelity. 
 
 Yellow Violet 
 
 Spring and autumn ... 
 
 Rustic liappiness. 
 
 Yew 
 
 February 
 
 Sadness ; mourning. 
 
 Zephyr Flower, or Anemone 
 
 March — May 
 
 Expectation ; sickness. 
 
 Zinnia 
 
 June, July 
 
 Thoughts of absent friends. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 SENTIMENTS, AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE FLOWERS. 
 
 k^- 
 
 Srntimmts. 
 
 Absence 
 
 Do., * impatient of .. 
 
 Acidity 
 
 Acknowledgment 
 
 Activity ... 
 
 Acute sorrow 
 
 Admiration 
 
 Adoration 
 
 Adorer, your devoted .. 
 
 Adroitness 
 
 Adulation 
 
 Adversity, cheerfulness 
 under 
 Do., energy m 
 Do., fidelity in 
 Do., hope in 
 Do., solace in 
 
 Advice 
 
 Affectation 
 
 Affection 
 
 Do. , beyond the grave 
 Do., bonds of 
 Do., enduring 
 Do. , generous and de- 
 voted 
 Do., I desire a return 
 
 of 
 
 Do., maternal 
 Do., wealth of true 
 
 Jlobjers. 
 Wormwood. 
 Corchorus. 
 BuUace Tree. 
 Canterbury Bell. 
 Thyme. 
 Aloe. 
 
 Amethyst. 
 Cedar Deodora. 
 Dwarf Sunflower. 
 Spider Ophrys. 
 Cacalia. 
 
 Chinese Chrysanthemum. 
 
 Camomile. 
 
 Wall-flower. 
 
 Spruce Pine. 
 
 Evergreen Thorn. 
 
 Rhubarb. 
 
 Amaranth, or Cockscomb; 
 
 Morning Glory. 
 Pear ; Mossy Saxifrage. 
 Green Locust Tree. 
 Stock, or Gillyflower. 
 Whin. 
 
 Honeysuckle. 
 
 Jonquil. 
 
 Cinquefoil. 
 
 Night-blooming Cereus. 
 
 S-entiments. 
 Afterthought . . 
 
 Age 
 
 Agitation 
 
 Alas ! for my poor heart 
 
 Always delightful 
 
 Always lovely 
 
 Ambassador of love 
 
 Ambition 
 
 Amiability 
 
 Amiableness 
 
 Amusements, frivolous 
 
 Animosity 
 
 Anticipation 
 
 Antidote, my 
 
 Anxiety, relieve my 
 
 Anxious and trembling 
 
 Architecture 
 
 Ardour ... 
 
 Argument 
 Armed, ready 
 Arrogance 
 Artifice 
 Arts, the fine 
 Aspiring ... 
 
 Assiduity 
 Assiduous to please 
 
 jFlotoers. 
 
 Catesby's Starvvort ; 
 Michaelmas Daisy ; 
 Starwort. 
 
 Guelder Rose. 
 
 Quaker Grass ; Sainfoin, 
 
 Deep-red Carnation. 
 
 Cineraria. 
 
 Indian Double Pink. 
 
 Cabbage Rose. 
 
 Hollyhock. 
 
 White Jasmine. 
 
 White Rose. 
 
 Bladder Senna. 
 
 St. John's Wort. 
 
 Gooseberry. 
 
 White Poppy. 
 
 Christmas Rose. 
 
 Red Columbine. 
 
 Candytuft. 
 
 Arum ; Cuckoo-fruit ; 
 Wake Robin. 
 
 Fig. 
 
 Gladioli. 
 
 Lobelia. 
 
 Acanthus ; Virgin's Bower 
 
 Acanthus. 
 
 Mountain Pink ; Cam- 
 panula. 
 
 Lavender. 
 
 Withered tendrils of Ivy 
 
 -^ 
 
^ 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 ^ 
 
 257 
 
 SentimtntB. 
 
 jrinfaees. 
 
 Sentimmta. 
 
 iFIoiuera, 
 
 Assignation 
 
 Pimpernel. 
 
 Bravery 
 
 Oak. 
 
 Asylum 
 
 Juniper. 
 
 Bridal favour 
 
 Geranium Ivy. 
 
 A token 
 
 Ox-eye. 
 
 Bridal festivities 
 
 Orange. 
 
 Attachment 
 
 Indian Jasmine (Ipomcea) 
 
 Brilliant complexion 
 
 Damask Rose. 
 
 Do., early 
 
 Thornless Rose. 
 
 Bulk 
 
 Gourd. 
 
 Attraction, beauty is your 
 
 Burn, I 
 
 Indian Fig ; Fleur-de-lis. 
 
 only 
 
 Japan Rose. 
 
 Busybody 
 
 Quamoclit. 
 
 Attractions, you are rich ir 
 
 Garden Ranunculus. 
 
 
 
 Audacity 
 
 Larch. 
 
 C;alf love 
 
 Smooth Sowthlstle 
 
 Austerity 
 
 Thistle. 
 
 Call me not beautiful .. 
 
 Unique Rose. 
 
 Avarice 
 
 Scarlet Auricula. 
 
 Calm repose 
 
 Buck bean. 
 
 Aversion ... 
 
 Indian Single Pink. 
 
 Calumny ... 
 
 Hellebore ; Madder. 
 
 
 
 Capricious beauty 
 
 Lady's Slipper ; Musk 
 
 Bane, my 
 
 White Poppy. 
 
 
 Rose. 
 
 Bantering 
 
 Southernwood. 
 
 Captive, I am your 
 
 Peach. 
 
 Baseness 
 
 Dodder of Thyme. 
 
 Celibacy 
 
 Bachelor's Buttons ; Rose- 
 
 Bashful modesty 
 
 Sensitive Plant. 
 
 
 bay ; Willow Herb. 
 
 Bashful shame ... 
 
 Deep-red Rose. 
 
 Charm of a blush, the .. 
 
 Cosmelia rubra. 
 
 Bashfulness 
 
 Peony. 
 
 Charming 
 
 Musk Cluster Rose. 
 
 Beautiful, call me not . . 
 
 Unique Rose. 
 
 Charming, you are 
 
 Leschenaultia Splendens. 
 
 Beauty 
 
 FuU-blown Rose ; Daisy ; 
 
 Charms are engraven on 
 
 
 Daisy, parti-coloured. 
 
 my heart, your 
 
 Spindle Tree. 
 
 Beauty always new 
 
 China Rose. 
 
 Charms, mature 
 
 Cattleya. 
 
 Beauty is your only at 
 
 
 Do., deceitful 
 
 Thorn Apple. 
 
 traction 
 
 Japan Rose. [Rose. 
 
 Do., your qualities 
 
 
 Beauty, capricious 
 
 Lady's Slipper ; Musk 
 
 surpass your 
 
 Mignonette. 
 
 Do., delicate ... 
 
 Hibiscus. 
 
 Change ... 
 
 Pimpernel. 
 
 Do., divine ... 
 
 American Cowslip. 
 
 Changeable disposition.. 
 
 Rye Grass. 
 
 Do., ill-natured 
 
 Citron. 
 
 Charity 
 
 Turnip. 
 
 Do., mental 
 
 Kennedia. 
 
 Chaste love 
 
 Acacia. 
 
 Do., modest ... 
 
 Trillium Pictum. 
 
 Chastity 
 
 Orange. 
 
 Do., neglected 
 
 Throatwort. 
 
 Cheerful, always 
 
 Coreopsis. 
 
 Do., pensive 
 
 Laburnum, 
 
 Cheerfulness 
 
 Crocus. 
 
 Do., splendid 
 
 Amaryllis. 
 
 Do. under adver 
 
 [mum. 
 
 Do. , transient 
 
 Night-blooming Cereus. 
 
 sity 
 
 Red Chinese Chrysanthe- 
 
 Do., unconscious 
 
 Burgundy Rose. 
 
 Do. in old age.. 
 
 Michaelmas Daisy. 
 
 Do., worth beyond .. 
 
 Alyssum, Sweet. 
 
 Chivalry 
 
 Aconite (Wolfsbane) ; 
 
 Belle, a 
 
 Orchis. 
 
 
 Helmet Flower, or 
 
 Be mine 
 
 Clover, Four-leaved. 
 
 
 Monkshood. 
 
 Beneficence 
 
 Marsh Mallow. 
 
 Claims, you have no 
 
 Pasque Flower. 
 
 Benevolence 
 
 Calycanthus ; Potato. 
 
 Cleanliness 
 
 Hyssop. 
 
 Betrayal 
 
 Judas Tree. 
 
 Cold, you are 
 
 Hortensia. 
 
 Betrayed 
 
 White Catchfly. 
 
 Cold-heartedness 
 
 Lettuce. 
 
 Betrayer, the 
 
 Dragon Plant. 
 
 Coldness 
 
 Agnus Castus. 
 
 Beware 
 
 Bay Rhododendron ; 
 
 Colour of my fate, the .. 
 
 Honeysuckle Coral. 
 
 
 Oleander ; Rosebay. 
 
 Come down 
 
 Jacob's Ladder. 
 
 Beware of excess 
 
 Saffron. 
 
 Comfort ... 
 
 Pear. 
 
 Beware of false friends . . 
 
 Franciscea Latifolia. 
 
 Comforting 
 
 Scarlet Geranium. 
 
 Be warned in time 
 
 Echites Atropurpurea. 
 
 Compassion 
 
 Allspice. 
 
 Birth 
 
 Dittany of Crete. 
 
 Complaisance 
 
 Reed. 
 
 Bitterness 
 
 Wormwood. 
 
 Complexion, brilliant .. 
 
 Damask Rose. 
 
 Blackness 
 
 Ebony. 
 
 Concealed love 
 
 Motherwort. 
 
 Blessedness, Single 
 
 Bachelor's Buttons. 
 
 Concealed merit 
 
 Coriander. 
 
 Bluntness 
 
 Borage. 
 
 Concord 
 
 Lote Tree 
 
 Blush, the charm of a .. 
 
 Cosmelia rubra. 
 
 Confession of love 
 
 Moss Rosebud. 
 
 Blushes 
 
 Majoram. 
 
 Confidence 
 
 Hepatica ; Lilac Polyan- 
 
 Boaster, a 
 
 Hydrangea. 
 
 
 thus : Liverwort. 
 
 Bold, you are too 
 
 Dipladenia Crassinoda. 
 
 Conjugallove 
 
 Lime, or Linden. 
 
 Boldness ... 
 
 Larch ; Pink. 
 
 Consolation 
 
 Red Poppy. 
 
 Bonds 
 
 Convolvulus. 
 
 Constancy 
 
 Bell Flower. 
 
 Bound 
 
 Snowball. 
 
 Consumed by love 
 
 Syrian Mallow. 
 
 i^- 
 
 -^ 
 
(IJT 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^S8 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 S-cntiiiinil^. 
 
 Jlotucvs. 
 
 Sentiments. 
 
 jflotoers. 
 
 Contempt 
 
 Yellow Sultan. 
 
 Dispersion 
 
 Hounds Tongue, [bine. 
 
 Content 
 
 Houstonia. 
 
 Disposition, sweetness of 
 
 Honeysuckle, or Wood- 
 
 Contentment 
 
 Hoyabella. 
 
 Do., changeable.. 
 
 Rye Grass. 
 
 Contract, rupture of a .. 
 
 Broken Straw. 
 
 Do., an accommo 
 
 
 Conversation delights me 
 
 
 dating 
 
 Valerian Spur. 
 
 the variety of your .. 
 
 Clarkia. 
 
 Distinction 
 
 Cardinal Flower. 
 
 Coquetry ... 
 
 Day Lily. 
 
 Distrust 
 
 Lavender. 
 
 Coquette ... 
 
 Mezereon. 
 
 Divine beauty 
 
 American Cowslip. 
 
 Coquettes, you are the 
 
 Docility ... 
 
 Bulrush ; Rue. 
 
 queen of 
 
 Queen's Rocket. 
 
 Do me justice 
 
 Chestnut. 
 
 Could you bear poverty? 
 
 Browalliajamisoni. 
 
 Domestic industry 
 
 Flax. 
 
 Counterfeit 
 
 Mock Orange. 
 
 Domestic virtue ... 
 
 Wild Sage. 
 
 Courage 
 
 Black Poplar ; Thyme. 
 
 Do not refuse me 
 
 Escholzia. 
 
 Crime 
 
 Tamarisk. 
 
 Doubt 
 
 Apricot Blossom. 
 
 Critic 
 
 Squirting Cucumber. 
 
 Dreams . . 
 
 Royal Flowering Fern 
 
 Cruelty 
 
 Stinging Nettle. 
 
 
 (bsmunda). 
 
 Cure 
 
 Balm of Gilead. 
 
 Dulness ... 
 
 Mitraria Coccinea. 
 
 Cure for the heartache .. 
 
 Asclepias. 
 
 Durability 
 
 Dogwood, or Cornel Tree. 
 
 
 
 Duration ... 
 
 Cornel. 
 
 Dance with me? will you 
 
 Viscaria Oculata. 
 
 
 
 Danger 
 
 Bay (Rose), Rhododen- 
 
 Early Attachment ., 
 
 Thornless Rose. 
 
 
 dron. 
 
 Do. friendship 
 
 Blue Periwinkle. 
 
 Dangerous insinuation .. 
 
 Great Bindweed. 
 
 Do. youth 
 
 Primrose, 
 
 Dangerous, love is 
 
 Carolina Rose, 
 
 Education, good 
 
 Cherry. 
 
 Dangerous, very 
 
 Red C'atchfly. 
 
 Egotism 
 
 Narcissus. 
 
 Death 
 
 Cypress. 
 
 Elegance 
 
 Rose or White Acacia. 
 
 Do., I change but in .. 
 
 Bay. 
 
 Elegance and grace 
 
 Yellow Jasmine. 
 
 Do., you will be my .. 
 
 Hemlock. 
 
 Elevation 
 
 Scotch Fir. 
 
 Deceit 
 
 Apocynum ; Dogsbane ; 
 
 Eloquence 
 
 Lagerstrcemia ; Lotus. 
 
 
 Venus's Trap. 
 
 Emblem of England 
 
 Rose. 
 
 Deceitful charms 
 
 Thorn Apple, 
 
 Do. France 
 
 Lily. 
 
 Deception 
 
 Winter Cherry. 
 
 Do. Ireland 
 
 Shamrock. 
 
 Decrease of love 
 
 Yellow Rose. 
 
 Do. Scotland .. 
 
 Scotch Thistle. 
 
 Deeply interesting 
 
 Siberian Crab. 
 
 Enchantment 
 
 Vervain, or Wild \'"erbena. 
 
 Defence ... 
 
 Privet. 
 
 Energy 
 
 Red Salvia. 
 
 Deformity 
 
 Begonia. 
 
 Energy in Adversity 
 
 Camomile. 
 
 Dejection 
 
 Lichen. 
 
 Ennui 
 
 Moss. 
 
 Delay 
 
 Eupatorium. 
 
 Envy 
 
 Bramble ; Raspberry. 
 
 Delicacy ... 
 
 Bluebottle (Centaury). 
 
 Error 
 
 Fly Orchis.' 
 
 Delicate and lovely as this 
 
 
 Do., Paternal 
 
 Cardamine. [butus. 
 
 flower ... 
 
 Harebell. [low. 
 
 Esteem and love 
 
 Strawberry Tree, or Ar- 
 
 Delicate beauty 
 
 Hibiscus ; Venetian Alal- 
 
 Do., not love 
 
 Spiderwort. 
 
 Do. pleasures 
 
 Sweet Pe.i. 
 
 Estranged love 
 
 Lotus. 
 
 Do. feelings 
 
 Sensitive Plant. 
 
 Excellence, intellectual.. 
 
 Venice Sumach. 
 
 Debghtful, always 
 
 Cineraria. 
 
 Do., unpretending 
 
 Red Camellia Japonica. 
 
 Depart 
 
 Dandelion. 
 
 Excess, beware of 
 
 Safl'ron. 
 
 Departure 
 
 Sweet Pea. 
 
 Expectation 
 
 Anemone (Zephyr Flower) 
 
 Desire of riches ... 
 
 Buttercup (Kingcup). 
 
 Expected meeting 
 
 Nutmeg Geranium. 
 
 Desire to please 
 
 Mezereon. 
 
 Extent 
 
 Gourd. 
 
 Despair 
 
 Cypress ; Marigold. 
 
 Extinguished hopes 
 
 Convolvulus Major. 
 
 Devotion ... 
 
 Heliotrope. 
 
 Extravagance, fantastic 
 
 Scarlet Poppy. [liopsis. 
 
 Difficulties, I surmount.. 
 
 Mistletoe. 
 
 Eyes, beautiful ... 
 
 Variegated Tulip ; Cal- 
 
 Difficulty 
 
 Blackthorn. 
 
 Do., sunbeaming 
 
 Scarlet Lychnis. 
 
 Diffidence 
 
 Cyclamen. 
 
 
 
 Dignity 
 
 Cloves ; Laurel-leaved 
 
 Facility 
 
 Speedwell Geranium. 
 
 
 Magnolia ; Elm. 
 
 Fairies' fire 
 
 Pvrus Taponica. 
 
 Dignity of mind 
 
 Hundred-leaved Rose. 
 
 Faithful heart, the incense 
 
 Disappointment 
 
 Carolina Syringa. 
 
 of a 
 
 Frankincense. 
 
 Discord ... 
 
 Hair Grass. 
 
 Faithfulness 
 
 Hehotrope ; Blue Violet. 
 
 Disdain ... 
 
 Yellow Carnation ; Rue. 
 
 Fame 
 
 Trumpet Flower ; Tulip 
 
 Disgust 
 
 Frog Ophrys. 
 
 
 Tree. 
 
 ^- 
 
 -'^ 
 
m- 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 ■^ 
 
 259 
 
 S-mtimcntg. 
 Falsehood 
 
 Family union 
 Fantastic extravagance. 
 Farewell ... 
 
 Fascination 
 Fashion ... 
 
 Fate 
 
 Do., the colour of my . 
 Favour, bridal ... 
 Do., popular ... 
 Fecundity 
 Feeling, warmth of 
 Feelings, delicate 
 Felicity 
 
 Female fidelity ... 
 Feminine modesty 
 Festivities, Bridal 
 Festivity. ... 
 Fickleness 
 Fidelity ... 
 
 Do., female ... 
 
 Do., in adversity 
 Filial love 
 Fine arts, the 
 Fitness 
 Flame 
 Flame of Love ... 
 
 Flattery , 
 
 Flee awav 
 
 Folly ' 
 
 Foolishness 
 Footsteps, white man's 
 Foppery ... 
 Foresight 
 Forgetfulness 
 Forget me not ... 
 
 Forsaken ... 
 
 Fortitude 
 
 Fortune, I offer you 
 
 France, emblem of 
 
 Frankness 
 
 Freeze me, your looks .. 
 
 Friends, beware of false 
 
 Friendship 
 
 Do., early ... 
 
 Do., true ... 
 
 Do., unchanging . 
 FrivoHty ... 
 
 Frivolous amusements .. 
 Frown will kill me, thy., 
 Frozen kindness ... 
 Frugality , 
 
 Jlofajfrs. 
 
 Apocynum (Dogsbane) ; 
 Yellow Lily ; Manchin- 
 eal Tree ; Bugloss ; 
 Deadly Nightshade. 
 
 Pink Verbena. 
 
 vScarlet Poppy. 
 
 Michaelmas Daisy ; 
 Spruce Fir. 
 
 Fern ; Honesty. 
 
 Queen's Rocket. 
 
 Flax ; Hemp. 
 
 Coral Honeysuckle. 
 
 Ivy Geranium. 
 
 Cistus, or Rock Rose. 
 
 Hollyhock. 
 
 Peppermint. 
 
 Sensitive Plant. 
 
 Sweet Sultan. 
 
 Speedwell. 
 
 Calla ^thiopica. 
 
 Orange. 
 , Parsley. 
 , Pink Larkspur. 
 , Ivy ; Willow Herb ; 
 Lemon ; Rosebay ; 
 Plum Tree. 
 , Speedwell. 
 , Wall-flower. 
 , Virgin's Bower. 
 , Acanthus. 
 . Sweet Flag. 
 . Fleur-de-lis. 
 , Yellow Iris. 
 . Venus's Looking-glass. 
 , Pennyroyal. 
 , Columbine. 
 . Pomegranate; Wild Vine, 
 
 Plaintain. 
 , Amaranth, or Cockscomb 
 . Holly; Strawberry. 
 . Moonwort. 
 
 . Forget-me-not ; Mouse- 
 ear, or Scorpion Grass. 
 . Garden Anemone ; La- 
 burnum; Lilac; Willow. 
 . Dipteracanthus Specta- 
 
 bilis. 
 . Calceolaria. 
 . Day Lily. 
 . Osier. 
 . Ice Plant (Ficoides). 
 
 Franciscea Latifolia. 
 . Acacia. 
 
 . Blue Periwinkle. 
 . Oak-leaved Geranium. 
 . Arbor Vitse. 
 . London Pride. 
 , Bladder Senna. 
 . Currant. 
 . Horehound. 
 . Chicory ; Lindive. 
 
 ■Sentiments. 
 Gaiety 
 
 Gallantry 
 Gambling 
 Game 
 
 Generous and devoted 
 affection 
 
 Genius 
 
 Do., modest ... 
 Genteel ... 
 Gentihty ... 
 Girlhood ... 
 
 Girl, I have seen a lovely 
 Gladness ... 
 Glory 
 
 Go, let me 
 
 Good education ... 
 
 Good looks 
 
 Good nature 
 
 Good, there is no unal- 
 loyed ... 
 Goodness 
 
 Do., perfect 
 
 Gossip 
 
 Grace 
 
 Do., and elegance 
 
 Do., matronly 
 
 Do., winning ... 
 Grandeur 
 Gratitude 
 
 Greed 
 Grief 
 
 Happiness 
 
 Do., momentary... 
 
 Do., return of ... 
 
 Do., rural 
 
 Do., transient 
 Happy, I'm too ... 
 
 Do., may you be 
 Happy love 
 Hardiness 
 
 Haste, make 
 
 Hasty, your temper is too 
 
 Hatred 
 
 Haughtiness 
 
 Have won 
 Heal, I wound to 
 Heartache, cure for the... 
 Heart ! alas, for my poor 
 
 Do., ignorant of love... 
 
 Do., purity of 
 
 Do., the incense of a 
 
 faithful 
 Heart's mystery, the 
 
 jnohj'cr0. 
 Yellow Lily ; Butterfly 
 
 Orchis. 
 Sweet William. 
 Guinea-hen Flower. 
 Hyacinth. 
 
 Honeysuckle, or Wood- 
 bine. 
 
 Plane Tree. 
 
 Creeping Cereus. 
 
 Rose. 
 
 Corn Cockle. 
 
 White Rosebud. 
 
 Tuberose. 
 
 Myrrh. 
 
 Bay Tree ; Daphne ; 
 Laurel. 
 
 Butterfly Weed. 
 
 Cherry. 
 
 Buddlea. 
 
 White Mulberry. 
 
 Lapageria Rosea. 
 
 Good King Henry ; Mer- 
 cury ; Wild Spinach. 
 
 Strawberry. 
 
 Cobcea. 
 
 Multiflora Rose. 
 
 Yellow Jasmine. 
 
 Cattleya Pineli. 
 
 CowsUp. 
 
 Ash Tree. 
 
 Agrimony ; Canterbury 
 bell; Small Wliite Bell- 
 flower. 
 
 Sundew. 
 
 Aloe; Marigold. 
 
 Mudwort ; Mugwort. 
 
 Virginian Spiderwort. 
 
 Lily of the Valley. 
 
 Yellow Violet. 
 
 Spiderwort. 
 
 Cape Jasmine. 
 
 Volkameria. 
 
 Bridal Rose. 
 
 Cranberry. 
 
 Dianthus. [flora. 
 
 Grammanthes Chloras- 
 
 Basil. 
 
 Guernsey Lily ; Purple 
 
 Larkspur. 
 Parsley. 
 
 Eglantine, or Sweet Briar. 
 Asclepias. 
 
 Deep-red Carnation. 
 White Rosebud. 
 White Water-lily. 
 
 Frankincense. 
 Crimson Polyanthus. 
 
 ^ 
 
^^- 
 
 260 
 
 The Lmignage of Flowers. 
 
 -^ 
 
 Sentiments. 
 Heartless, not ... 
 Heartlessness 
 Hermitage 
 Hidden worth 
 High-bred 
 Holy wishes 
 Honesty ... 
 Hope 
 
 Do., you may 
 Do., in adversity 
 
 Hopes, extinguished 
 
 Hopeless 
 
 Horror 
 
 Humanity 
 
 Humility 
 
 Hush 
 
 JIotuErs. 
 
 ... Love lies bleeding. 
 
 ... Hydrangea. 
 
 ... Milkvetch. 
 
 ... Coriander. 
 
 ... Pentstemon Azureuni. 
 
 ... Plumbago Larpentce. 
 
 ... Honesty, 
 
 ... Snowdrop ; Hawthorn ; 
 White Thorn ; Flower- 
 in'g Almond. 
 
 ... Roseleaf. 
 
 ... Spruce Pine. 
 
 ... Convolvulus Major. 
 
 ... Love Has bleeding. 
 
 ... Creeping Cereus ; Man- 
 drake ; Snakesfoot. 
 
 ... Marsh Mallow. 
 
 ... Broom ; Field Lilac. 
 
 ... Belladonna; Nightshade, 
 or Bittersweet. 
 
 I AM worthy of you 
 
 I am your captive 
 
 I have seen a lovely girl 
 
 I love 
 
 I offer you my all 
 
 I offer you my fortune ... 
 
 I partake your sentiments 
 
 I surmount difficuUies ... 
 
 I shall not survive you ... 
 
 I think of thee 
 
 I turn to thee 
 
 I will think of it ... 
 
 Idleness ... 
 
 If you love me, you 
 
 find it out 
 Ill-nature 
 Ill-natured beauty 
 Imagination 
 ImmortaHty 
 Impatience 
 Impatient of absence 
 Imperfection 
 Importunity 
 Impressions, transient 
 I'm too happy ... 
 Inconstancy 
 Incorruptible 
 Independence 
 Indifference 
 
 Indiscretion 
 
 will 
 
 Indolence 
 Industry ... 
 Infidehty ... 
 Ingeniousness 
 Ingenuity 
 
 White Rose. 
 Peach. 
 Tuberose. 
 
 Red Chrysanthemum. 
 Shepherd's Purse. 
 Calceolaria. 
 Double China Aster. 
 Mistletoe. 
 
 Black Mulberry Tree. 
 White Clover. 
 Heliotrope. 
 Single China Aster. 
 Fig Marigold ; Mesem- 
 bryanthemum. 
 
 Maiden-blush Rose. 
 . Crab Blossom. 
 . Citron. 
 
 . Lupine. [Daphne. 
 
 . Globe' Amaranth ; 
 . Yellow Balsam. 
 . Corchorus. 
 . Henbane. 
 
 . Burdock ; Fuller's Teasel. 
 . White and withered Rose 
 . Cape Jasmine. 
 . Evening Primrose. 
 , Cedar of Lebanon. 
 , White Oak ; Wild Plum. 
 , Agnus Castus ; Ever- 
 flowering Candy-tuft ; 
 Mustard Seed ; Pigeon- 
 berry. 
 
 Common Almond ; Bul- 
 rusli ; Split Reed. 
 
 Mitraria Coccinea. 
 
 Red Clover. 
 
 Yellow Rose. 
 
 White Pink. 
 
 Pencilled Geranium. I 
 
 SentimEnta. 
 Ingenuous 
 Ingratitude 
 
 Injustice ... 
 Innocence 
 
 Do., youthful 
 Insincerity 
 Insinuation 
 Inspiration 
 Instability 
 Intellect ... 
 Intellectual excellence 
 Interesting, deeply 
 Intoxication 
 Ireland, emblem of 
 
 ... Mouse-eared Chickweed. 
 
 ... Celery-leaved Crowsfoot ; 
 Wild Ranunculus ; Yel- 
 low Gentian. 
 
 ... Hop. 
 
 ... Daisy. 
 
 ... White Lilac. 
 
 ... Foxglove. 
 
 ... Bindweed. 
 
 ... Angelica. 
 
 ... Dahha. 
 
 ... Walnut. 
 
 ... Venice Sumach. 
 
 ... Siberian Crab. 
 
 ... Vine. 
 
 ... Shamrock. 
 
 ... French Marigold ; Yellow 
 
 Rose. 
 ... Southernwood. 
 ... Wood Sorrel. 
 ... Cape Jasmine. 
 ... Celandine. 
 ... Rudbeckia. 
 . .. Chestnut. 
 ... Coltsfoot. 
 
 Jealousy 
 
 Jest 
 
 Joy 
 
 Do., transport of 
 Joys to come 
 Justice 
 
 Do., do me 
 
 Do., shall be done 
 
 Do., shall be done you Sweet-scented Tussilage. 
 
 Do., you shall have ... Do. do. 
 
 Keilp this for my sake . 
 Kindness, I feel your . 
 Kindness, frozen 
 Knight-errantry 
 
 Lamentation ... 
 Lasting love 
 Lasting pleasure 
 Let me go 
 Levity 
 
 Life 
 
 Lightness 
 
 Lightheartedness 
 
 Lily, painting the 
 
 Live for me 
 
 Lively and pure love 
 
 Looks freeze me, your . 
 
 Love 
 
 Do., at first sight 
 
 Do., chaste 
 
 Do., concealed ... 
 
 Do., confession of 
 
 fJo., declaration of 
 
 Do., decrease of 
 
 Do., first emotions of . 
 
 Do., for all seasons 
 
 Do., happy 
 
 Do. , heart ignorant of . 
 
 Do., hopeless 
 
 Do., I 
 
 Do., is dangerous 
 Do., lasting 
 
 Veronica. 
 , Flax. 
 . Horehound. [hood. 
 
 Helmet Flower ; Monks- 
 
 , Aspen Tree. 
 
 , Chinese Primrose. 
 
 . Everlasting Pea. 
 
 Butterfly Weed. 
 . Larkspur. 
 
 Lucern. 
 . Larkspur, 
 . Shamrock. 
 
 Daphne Odora. 
 
 Arbor Vitce. 
 
 Red Pink. 
 
 Ice Plant (Ficoides). 
 
 Myrtle Rose. 
 
 Coreopsis Arkansa. 
 
 Acacia. 
 
 Motherwort. 
 
 Moss Rosebud. 
 
 Red Tulip ; Tulip Tree. 
 
 Yellow Rose, 
 
 Purple Lilac. 
 
 Ulex, Furze, or Gorse. 
 
 Bridal Rose. 
 
 White Rosebud. 
 
 Yellow Tuhp. 
 
 Red Chrysanthemum. 
 
 Carolina Rose. 
 
 Chinese Primrose. 
 
 ^- 
 
 -^ 
 
9^" 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 -•fP 
 
 261 
 
 Sentiments. 
 Love, lively and pure ... 
 
 Do., of nature 
 
 Do., only deserve my ... 
 
 Do., pure 
 
 Do., pure and ardent ... 
 
 Do., returned 
 
 Do., secret 
 
 Do., slighted ... "... 
 
 Do., sweet and secret ... 
 
 Do., true 
 
 Do., unfading ... 
 Do., unfortunate 
 Do., voluptuous 
 Do.,' woman's 
 
 Do., youthful 
 
 Loveliness, perfected ... 
 Do., perfection of 
 female 
 Lovely, pure and 
 
 Do. , thou art all that is 
 Love's memory ... 
 Lowliness 
 Lustre 
 Luxury 
 
 Magic 
 
 Majesty ... 
 
 Make haste 
 
 Malevolence 
 
 Manners, roughness of ... 
 
 Marriage ... 
 
 Maternal affection 
 
 Do. love 
 Matronly grace 
 Mature charms ... 
 Meanness 
 Medicine 
 Meekness 
 Meeting, expected 
 
 Do. unexpected ... 
 Meet me... 
 Melancholy 
 Memory ... 
 
 Do., love's ... 
 
 Do., pleasures of ... 
 Mental beauty ... 
 Merit, concealed 
 Do,, unpatronised 
 
 Message 
 
 Mildness 
 Mind, dignity of 
 Minds, vulgar 
 Misanthropy 
 
 Modest genius ... 
 Modesty 
 
 Do., bashful 
 
 Do., feminine 
 
 Mourning 
 
 Music 
 Do., the witching soul of 
 
 jnafajcrg. 
 Red Pink. 
 Magnolia. 
 Campion Rose. 
 Single Pink. 
 Red Double Pink. 
 Ambrosia. 
 Yellow Acacia. 
 Yellow Chrysanthemum. 
 Honey Flower. 
 Forget-me-not. 
 Globe Amaranth. 
 Scabious. 
 Moss Rose. 
 Pink Carnation. 
 Red Catchfly. 
 White Camellia Japonica. 
 
 Justicia. 
 
 Red Rosebud. 
 
 Austrian Rose. 
 
 Red Bay. 
 
 Bramble. 
 
 Aconite-leaved Crowsfoot 
 
 Horse Chestnut. 
 
 Angelica ; Fern, 
 
 Cro\vn Imperial. 
 
 Dianthus. 
 
 Lobelia. 
 
 Borage. 
 
 Ivy. 
 
 Cinquefoil. 
 
 Mossy Saxifrage. 
 
 Cattleya Pineli. 
 
 Cattleya. 
 
 Cuscuta. 
 
 Swallow- wort. 
 
 Birch. 
 
 Nutmeg Geranium. 
 
 Lemon Geranium. 
 
 Sycamore. [anium . 
 
 Dead leaves ; Dark Ger- 
 
 Syringa. 
 
 Red Bay. 
 
 White Periwinkle. 
 
 Kennedia. 
 
 Coriander. 
 
 Red Primrose. 
 
 Fleur-de-lis ; Iris. 
 
 Mallow ; Myrtle. 
 
 Hundred-leaved Rose. 
 
 African Marigold. 
 
 Aconite (Wolfsbane) ; 
 
 Fuller's Teasel. 
 Creepmg Cereus. 
 Sweet Violet. 
 Sensitive Plant. 
 Calla j5£thiopica. 
 Cypress ; Yew. 
 Reed. 
 Oats. 
 
 Sentiments. 
 My best days are past 
 Mystery, the heart's 
 
 Nature, good ... 
 
 Neatness ... 
 
 Neglected, I die if 
 
 Night 
 
 "No" 
 
 Old age 
 
 Do., cheerfulness in 
 
 Only deserve my love ... 
 Ornament 
 
 Pain, pleasure and 
 Painting ... 
 
 Do. the lily 
 
 Passion 
 
 Paternal error 
 Patience ... 
 Patriotism 
 Peace 
 Penitence 
 Pensiveness 
 Perfect, you are ... 
 Perfected lovehness 
 Perfection of female love- 
 liness 
 
 Perfidy 
 
 Perplexity 
 
 Persecution 
 
 Perseverance 
 
 Persuasion 
 
 Pertinacity 
 
 Philosophy 
 
 Piety 
 
 Do., steadfast 
 
 Pity 
 
 Play 
 
 Please, assiduous to 
 Do., desire to ... 
 Pleasure, lasting 
 
 Do. and pain 
 Pleasures, delicate 
 
 Do., dangerous ... 
 
 Do., of memory . . 
 
 Plenty 
 
 Poetry 
 
 Popular favour ... 
 
 Poverty 
 
 Poverty ? could you bear 
 
 Power 
 
 Pray for me 
 
 Precaution 
 
 Precocity 
 
 Prediction 
 
 Preference 
 
 Presence soothes me, your 
 Presumption 
 
 JTIctocrs. 
 , Meadow Saffron. 
 , Crimson Polyanthus, 
 
 , White Mulberry, 
 , Broom ; Genista. 
 , Laurestine. 
 
 Convolvulus Minor. 
 
 Snapdragon. 
 
 Tree of Life. 
 Michaelmas Daisy ; 
 
 American Starwort. 
 Campion Rose. 
 Hornbean. 
 
 Dog Rose. 
 Auricula. 
 Daphne Odora. 
 Dittany of Crete. 
 Cardamine. [Dock. 
 
 Easter Giant ; Ox-eye ; 
 Nasturtium. 
 Olive. 
 
 Red Pine. [slip. 
 
 American Cowslip ; Cow- 
 Pine Apple. 
 White Camellia Japonica. 
 
 Justicia. 
 
 Common Laurel in flower 
 
 Love in a mist. 
 
 Chequered Fritillary. 
 
 Canary Grass, 
 
 Syrian Mallow. 
 
 Xanthium, 
 
 Pitch Pine. 
 
 Herb Robert. 
 
 Wild Geranium, 
 
 Pine. 
 
 Hyacinth. 
 
 Sprig of Ivy with tendrils, 
 
 Mezereon. 
 
 Everlasting Pea. 
 
 Dog Rose. 
 
 Sweet Pea. 
 
 Tuberose. 
 
 White Periwinkle, 
 
 Maize. 
 
 Eglantine, or Sweet Briar. 
 
 Gistus, or Rock Rose. 
 
 Clematis. 
 
 Browallia Jamisoni. 
 
 Cress ; Crown Imperial. 
 
 White Verbena. 
 
 Golden Rod, 
 
 May Rose. 
 
 Prophetic Marigold. 
 
 Rose-scented Geranium ; 
 
 Pink Geranium. 
 Petunia. 
 Snapdragon, 
 
 it. 
 
 -^ 
 
Pr- 
 
 262 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 -^ 
 
 Sentimmts. 
 Pretention 
 Prettiness 
 
 Pretty 
 
 Pride 
 
 Pride befriend me, for once 
 may 
 
 Do, of riches 
 
 Do., virgin 
 Privation 
 Prodigality 
 
 Profit 
 
 Prohibition 
 
 Prolific 
 
 Promptness 
 Prosperity 
 Protection 
 Provident 
 Prudence 
 Prudent, be 
 Pure and ardent love 
 Pure and lovely ... 
 Pure love 
 Purity 
 Do,, captivating 
 
 Do,, of heart ... 
 
 QUICKSIGHTEDNESS 
 Quiet my heart ... 
 
 Ready- ARMED 
 
 Reason 
 
 Recall 
 
 Recantation . . 
 
 Reconciliation ... 
 
 Refinement 
 
 Refusal ... 
 
 Regard 
 
 Regrets follow you to the 
 
 grave, my 
 Do., sorrowful 
 
 Relief 
 
 Relieve my anxiety 
 Religious enthusiasm ... 
 Do., superstition ... 
 Remembrance 
 
 Lythrum. 
 
 Pompon Rose. 
 
 Rose. 
 
 Hundred-leaved Rose ; 
 
 Amaryllis ; Guernsey 
 Lily. 
 
 Tiger Flower. 
 Polyanthus. 
 Pink Gentian. 
 
 Myrobalan. 
 
 Lesser Celandine. 
 
 Cabbage. 
 
 Privet. 
 
 Fig. 
 
 Ten-week Stock. 
 
 Beech ; Bryony. 
 
 Bearded Crepis ; Juniper, 
 , Purple Clover. 
 
 Mountain Ash. 
 
 Triptihon Spinosum. 
 , Red Double Pink. 
 , Red Rosebud. 
 , Sin^rle Pink. [lehem, 
 
 White Lily ; Star of Beth- 
 , Stitchwort. 
 . White Water-lily. 
 
 Do., 
 Remorse ... 
 Rendezvous 
 Repose 
 Do,, calm 
 Reserve ... 
 Resignation 
 Resolved to win 
 Restoration 
 Retaliation 
 Returned, love 
 Revenge ... 
 Reverie 
 
 unceasmg 
 
 Hawkweed. 
 Lady's Smock. 
 
 Gladioli. 
 Goat's Rue. 
 
 Silver-leaved Geranium. 
 Lotus leaf. 
 Filbert ; Hazel. 
 Gardenia. [gated Pink. 
 Striped Carnation; Vane- 
 Daffodil. 
 
 Asphodel. 
 Blue-bell. 
 Balm of Gilead. 
 Christmas Rose. 
 Lychnis (Flos-circuli). 
 Aloe ; Passion Flower. 
 Adonis (Pheasant's Eye) ; 
 
 Rosemary. 
 American Cudweed. 
 Bramble ; Raspberry. 
 Chickweed. 
 Convolvulus Minor. 
 Buckbean. 
 Maple. 
 Indian Cress. 
 Purple Columbine. 
 Persicaria, or Snakeweed. 
 Scotch Thistle. 
 Ambrosia. 
 
 Birdsfoot Trefoil. [da, 
 Flowering Fern, Osmun^ 
 
 Senfimmts. 
 Reward of virtue 
 Riches 
 
 Do., desire of ... 
 
 Do., false 
 
 Do., pride of ... 
 Rigour 
 
 Roughness of manners , 
 Rudeness 
 Rural happiness 
 Rustic beauty 
 
 Do. happiness 
 
 Do, oracle 
 
 Sad Memories 
 
 Sadness ... 
 
 Safe, with me you are ... 
 
 Safety 
 
 Sake, keep this for my 
 
 Satire 
 
 Scandal 
 
 Scotland, emblem of 
 
 Sculpture ... 
 
 Secrecy 
 
 Secret and sweet love ... 
 
 Secret love 
 
 Self-esteem 
 
 Self-sacrifice 
 
 Self-seeking 
 
 Sensibility 
 
 Do., mutual 
 Sensuality 
 Sentiment, purity of 
 
 Do., warmth of ... 
 Sentiments, I partake your 
 Separation 
 
 Serenade, a 
 
 Severity ... 
 
 Shame 
 
 Sharpness 
 
 Shyness ... 
 
 Sickness 
 
 Silence 
 
 Jloixrcrs. 
 Garland of Roses. 
 Buttercup ; Wheat ; Corn. 
 Kmgcup (Buttercup). 
 Sunflower. 
 
 Polyanthus. [tana. 
 
 Branch of Thorns ; Lan- 
 
 Silliness .. 
 Simplicity 
 
 Sincerity ... 
 
 Single blessedness 
 
 Singularity 
 
 Slander 
 
 Sleep 
 
 Slighted love 
 
 Smile, I aspire to thy 
 
 Smiles 
 
 Snare 
 
 Solace in adversity 
 
 Solitude ... 
 
 Sorcery 
 
 Bur ; Xanthium. 
 Yellow Violet. 
 French Honeysuckle. 
 
 Yellow Violet. 
 Dandelion. 
 
 Adonis (Pheasant's Eye). 
 Dead leaves ; Yew. 
 Mountain Ash. 
 Clematis. 
 
 Veronica. [Pear. 
 
 Pepper Plant ; Prickly 
 Plellebore. 
 Thistle. 
 
 Hoya. [over two buds. 
 Full-blown Rose placed 
 , Honey Flower 
 Yellow Acacia. 
 , Narcissus. 
 , Andromeda. 
 . Clianthus. 
 
 . Sensitive Plant ; Verbena. 
 . Thrift. 
 
 . Spanish Jasmine. 
 . White Violet. 
 , Spear-Mint. 
 Double China Aster. 
 Carolina Jasmine ; Ash- 
 leaved I'rumpet Flower 
 Dew Plant. 
 Branch of thorns. 
 Peony. 
 Barberry. 
 Bush Vetch. 
 
 Anemone (Zephyr Flower) 
 Nightshade, or Bitter- 
 sweet ; Belladonna ; 
 Lotus. 
 Fool's Parsley. 
 Mouse-eared Chickweed ; 
 Full-blown Eglantine ; 
 Single Rose. 
 Fern ; Garden Chervil. 
 Bachelor's Buttons. 
 Amaranth, or Cockscomb 
 Stinging Nettle. 
 White Poppy. 
 Yellow Chrysanthemum. 
 Daily Rose. 
 Crocus. 
 Dragon Plant. 
 Evergreen Thorn, 
 Heath ; Ling ; Lichen. 
 Enchanter's Nightshade. 
 
 ^. 
 
 -^ 
 
The Language of Flowers. 
 
 ■^ 
 
 <5 
 
 263 
 
 Sorrow 
 
 Do,, acute 
 Sorrowful regrets 
 Sourness of temper 
 
 South 
 
 Spell 
 
 Spell-bound 
 Spleen 
 Splendid beauty 
 
 Splendour 
 
 Sport 
 
 Sporting 
 
 Stability ... 
 
 Steadfast piety 
 
 Stoicism ... 
 
 Stratagem 
 
 Strength ... 
 
 Stupidity 
 
 Submission 
 
 Success crown yourwishes 
 Succour ... 
 Such worth is rare 
 Sunbeaming eyes 
 Sunshine and shade, I 
 cling to you both in ... 
 Superstition 
 
 Do., religious ... 
 Surprise ... 
 
 Survive you, 1 shall not... 
 Suspicion 
 
 Sweet and secret love ... 
 Sweet to the sweet 
 Sweetness 
 
 Do. of disposition 
 
 Do., unconscious ... 
 Sympathy 
 
 Tardiness 
 
 Talent 
 Taste 
 
 Tears 
 
 Temperance 
 
 Temper is too hasty, your 
 Do., sourness of 
 
 Temptation 
 
 Thankfulness 
 
 Thou art all thai is lovely 
 
 Thoughts of absent friends 
 
 Do., you occupy my 
 Thy smile I aspire to ... 
 Ties 
 Time 
 
 Timidity ... 
 Token, a ... 
 Transient happiness 
 
 Do. beauty 
 
 Do. impressions ... 
 Transport of joy 
 
 Jfloliieta. 
 
 Sentiments. 
 
 Jflotoera. 
 
 Cypress. 
 
 Tranquillity 
 
 . Rock Madwort ; Stone- 
 
 Aloe. 
 
 
 crop. 
 
 Blue-bell. 
 
 Treachery 
 
 , Bilberry ; Whortleberry. 
 
 Barberry. 
 
 Trembhng and anxious,. 
 
 , Red Columbine. 
 
 Foxglove. 
 
 Trophy, wariike 
 
 . Indian Cress. 
 
 Circoea. 
 
 True friendship 
 
 . Oak-leaved Geranium. 
 
 Witch Hazel. 
 
 True love ,.. 
 
 Forget-me-not. 
 
 Fumitory. 
 
 Truth 
 
 Bittersweet (Nightshade); 
 
 Amaryllis. 
 
 
 White Chrysanthemum. 
 
 Austurtiura ; Nasturtium 
 
 
 
 Hyacinth. 
 
 Unanimity 
 
 Phlox. 
 
 Foxtail Grass. 
 
 Unbelief 
 
 Judas Tree. 
 
 Cress. 
 
 Unchanging friendship,. 
 
 Arbor Vitas. 
 
 Wild Geranium. 
 
 Uneasiness 
 
 Marigold, 
 
 Box Tree. 
 
 Unexpected meeting .. 
 
 Lemon Geranium. 
 
 Walnut. 
 
 Unfading love ,,. 
 
 Globe Amaranth. 
 
 Cedarof Lebanon; Fennel 
 
 Unfortunate love 
 
 Scabious, 
 
 Common Almond; Scarlet 
 
 Union 
 
 York and Lancaster Rose; 
 
 Geranium. 
 
 
 Whole Straw. 
 
 Grass. 
 
 Unite against evil, or 
 
 
 Coronilla. 
 
 church unity 
 
 Scarlet Verbena, [gether. 
 
 Juniper. 
 
 Unity 
 
 White and Red Ross to- 
 
 Achimenes Cupreata. 
 
 Unpatronised merit 
 
 Red Primrose. 
 
 Scarlet Lychnis. 
 
 Unpretending excellence 
 
 Red Camellia Japonica. 
 
 
 Uselessness 
 
 Meadow Sweet ; Spiroca, 
 
 Virginian Creeper. 
 
 Utility 
 
 Dried Flax. 
 
 St. John's Wort. 
 
 
 
 Aloe ; Passion Flower. 
 
 Variety 
 
 Mundi Rose. 
 
 Betony; Truffle. 
 
 Variety of your conversa 
 
 
 Black Mulberry Tree. 
 
 sation delights me, the 
 
 Clarkia. 
 
 Champignon (Mushroom) 
 
 Vice 
 
 Ray Grass. 
 
 Honey Flower. 
 
 Victory 
 
 Palm. 
 
 Daphne Odora. [tan. 
 
 Virgin pride 
 
 Gentian. 
 
 White Lily ; White Sul- 
 
 Virtue 
 
 Mint. 
 
 Honeysuckle, or Wood- 
 
 Do,, domestic ,,, 
 
 Wild Sage. 
 
 bine ; Sugar Maple ; 
 
 Do,, reward of 
 
 Garland of Roses, 
 
 Mallow. 
 
 Visionary ,,. 
 
 Eyebright, 
 
 Lily of the Valley. 
 
 Vivacity 
 
 Houseleek. 
 
 Balm ; Thrift. 
 
 Voraciousness 
 
 Lupine, 
 
 
 Vulgar minds 
 
 African Marigold, 
 
 Flax-leaved Goldylocks. 
 
 
 [row. 
 
 White Pink. 
 
 War 
 
 Achillea Millefolia ; Yar- 
 
 Fuchsia. 
 
 Do, againstyou.I declare Wild Pansy. 
 
 Helenium. 
 
 Warlike trophy ,,, 
 
 Indian Cress. 
 
 Azalea. [flora. 
 
 Warmth 
 
 Cactus. 
 
 Grammanthes Chloras- 
 
 Do. of feeling 
 
 Peppermint. 
 
 Barberry. 
 
 Do. of sentiment ., 
 
 Spear-Mint. 
 
 Apple ; Quince.. 
 
 Warned in time, be 
 
 Echites Atropurpurea. 
 
 Agrimony. 
 
 Watchfulness 
 
 Dame Violet, 
 
 Austrian Rose. 
 
 Weakness 
 
 Moschatel ; Musk Plant. 
 
 Zinnia. 
 
 Wealth of true affection 
 
 Night-blooming Cereus. 
 
 Heart's-ease, or Pansy. 
 
 Weary me, you 
 
 Bur, 
 
 Daily Rose. [Plant. 
 
 Welcome, fair stranger,. 
 
 Wistaria. 
 
 Tendrils of Climbing 
 
 White man's footsteps ,, 
 
 Plantain, 
 
 Fir ; White Poplar. 
 
 Widowhood 
 
 Sweet Scabia. 
 
 Marvel of Peru. 
 
 Will you share my for 
 
 
 Laurestine ; Ox-eye. 
 
 tunes? ,,, 
 
 Creeana Mallow. 
 
 Spiderwort. 
 
 Win me and wear me ., 
 
 Lady's SUpper, 
 
 Night-blooming Cereus. 
 
 Win, resolved to 
 
 Purple Columbine. 
 
 White and withered Rose 
 
 Winning grace ,,. 
 
 Cowslip. 
 
 Cape Jasmine. 
 
 Winter 
 
 Guelder Rose. 
 
 ^- 
 
^- 
 
 264 
 
 The Language of Flowers. 
 
 ■^ 
 
 .Sentiments. 
 
 jHoiuere. 
 
 Sentiments. 
 
 JIlotDers. 
 
 Wisdom 
 
 . White Mulberry Tree ; 
 
 You have no claims 
 
 Pasque Flower. 
 
 
 Red Mulberry ; Blue 
 
 You may hope 
 
 Roseleaf. 
 
 
 Salvia. 
 
 You weary me ... 
 
 Bur. 
 
 Wishes, good 
 
 . Sweet Basil. 
 
 Your charms are engraven 
 
 
 Do., holy 
 
 . Plumbago Larpentce. 
 
 on my heart ... 
 
 Spindle Tree. 
 
 Wit 
 
 . Lychnis (Flos-circuli) ; 
 
 Your looks freeze me . . 
 
 Ficoides (Ice Plant). 
 
 
 Meadow Lychnis. 
 
 Your simple elegance 
 
 
 Wit, ill-timed ... 
 
 . Sorrel. 
 
 charms me 
 
 Diosma. 
 
 With me you are safe .- 
 
 . Mountain Ash. 
 
 Your presence softens my 
 
 
 Witchcraft 
 
 . Enchanter's Nightshade. 
 
 pain 
 
 Wild Liquorice. 
 
 Woman's love ... 
 
 . Pink Carnation. 
 
 You: presence soothes me 
 
 Petunia. 
 
 Won, have 
 
 . Parsley. 
 
 Youi qualities surpass 
 
 
 Worldliness 
 
 Clianthus. 
 
 your charms ... 
 
 Mignonette. 
 
 Worth beyond beauty .. 
 
 Sweet Alyssum. 
 
 Youthful innocence 
 
 White Lilac. 
 
 Do., hidden 
 
 Coriander. 
 
 Do. love 
 
 Red Catchfly. 
 
 Worth sustained byjudi 
 
 
 Y'outh, early 
 
 Primrose. 
 
 cious tS: tender affection Pink Convolvulus. 
 
 
 
 Worthy all praise 
 
 Fennel. 
 
 Zeal 
 
 Arum. 
 
 Wound to heal, I 
 
 Eglantine, or Sweet Briar. 
 
 Zealousness 
 
 Elder. 
 
 
 
 Zest 
 
 Lemon. 
 
 You are perfect 
 
 Pine Apple. 
 
 
 
 fe^ 
 
 ^ 
 
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 MODIFICATIONS OF THE FLOWER LANGUAGE. 
 
 "You may quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of 
 news, without even inking your fingers.'' — Lady M. W. Montagve. 
 
 If a flower be given reversed, its original signification is understood to 
 be contradicted, and the opposite meaning to be implied. 
 
 A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its leaves, conveys the 
 sentiment, I fear no longer; I hope; thorns signifying yfearj, and leaves hopes. 
 
 Stripped of leaves and thorns, the bud signifies. There is nothing to hope 
 or fear. 
 
 The expression of flowers is also varied by changing their positions. 
 Place a marigold on the head, and it signifies Mental anguish; on the bosom. 
 Indifference. 
 
 When a flower is given, the pronoun / is understood by bending it to the 
 right hand ; thou, by inclining it to the left. 
 
 Yes is implied by touching the flower given with the lips. 
 
 No, by pinching off a petal, and casting it away. 
 
 I am is expressed by a laurel-leaf twisted round the bouquet. 
 
 I have, by an ivy-leaf folded together. 
 
 I offer you, by a leaf of the Virginian Creeper. 
 
 fe^- 
 
 2 L 
 
 -^ 
 
^ 
 
 -^ 
 
 BOUQUETS AS EXAMPLES. 
 
 Be temperate in your taste. 
 J,. Temperance , . Azalea. 
 
 ■£. Taste . . . . Fuchsia. 
 
 Meet me to-night ; do not forget. 
 
 1. Meet me . . Sycamore. 
 
 2. To-night . . Night Convolvulus. 
 
 3. Do not forget . Forget-me-f?ot. 
 
 May maternal love protect your early youth in in- 
 nocence and joy. 
 J,. Maternal love Mossy Saxifrage. 
 
 2. Protect ... . Bearded Crepis. 
 
 3. Early youth . . . Primrose. 
 
 4. Innocence . Daisy. 
 
 5. Joy . . '. . Wood Sorrel. 
 Remember our rendezvous, but beware of a false 
 
 friend. 
 1. Remembrance . . . Rosemary. 
 .£.. Rendezvous . . . Chickweed. 
 
 3. Beware of false friends . Franciscea Latifolia. 
 Do not refuse to come down and comfort my 
 solitude. 
 
 1. Do not refuse Fschcohia. 
 
 2. Come down . Jacob' s Ladder. 
 
 3. Comfort . . . Pear Ti cc. 
 
 4. Solitude . Heath. 
 
 I am docile and dejected, do not refuse me. 
 I. Docile . Rush. 
 
 ^. Dejected L/cho?. 
 
 3. Do not refuse . Carrot Flower. 
 
 Let the bonds of marriage unite us. 
 
 1. Bonds . . Convolvuhis. 
 
 2. Marriage Ivy. 
 
 3. Unite us . A few whole Straws. 
 My fortitude forsook me on your refusal to be mine. 
 J.. Fortitude . Dipteracanihiis Spec- 
 
 2. Forsaken . Labi,iviiiiin. [tab ills. 
 
 3. Refusal Striped Carnation. 
 
 4. Be mine Four-leaved Clover. 
 
 I hope you may be happy, and offer you pecuniary 
 aid, 
 
 1. Hope . Flowering Almond. 
 
 2. May you be happy . i\d.kaincn<-i. 
 
 3. Offer pecuniary aid . Calceolaria. 
 
 Our unexpected meeting left but transient im- 
 pressions. 
 y^??jK'(:r— Vulgar minds soon forget. 
 
 1. Unexpected meeting . Lemon Geranium. 
 
 2. Transient impressions . Withered White Rose. 
 
 3. Vulgar minds . . . African Marigold. 
 
 4. Forget fulness . . . Moonwort. 
 
 I love to disappoint your curiosity. 
 1 . Love ... , . Red Rose. 
 
 ■2. Disappointment . . Carolina Syringa. 
 3. Curiosity . . . Sycamore. 
 
 Your affectation and deceit I disdain. 
 I. Affectation . . . Cockscomb Amararith. 
 
 A. Deceit . . . Fly-trap. 
 
 3. Disdain . YelloTO Carnatio?i. 
 
 I sorrowfully regret your indifference, and am mel- 
 ancholy on account of your coldness. 
 I. I sorrowfully regret Blue-bells. 
 
 .L. Indifference Mustard Seed. 
 
 3. Melancholy . Dead leaves. 
 
 4., Coldness . Agnus Castus. 
 
 Your humility and amiabihty have won my love. 
 I. Humihty Broom. 
 
 ■^. Amiability . White Jasmine. 
 
 3. Have won . , Parsley. 
 
 4. Love .... Myrtle. 
 
 Your patriotism, courage, and fidelity merit ever- 
 lasting remembrance. 
 1. Patriotism . . Nasturtium. 
 
 ■.i. Courage . . . Oak leaves. 
 
 3. Fidelity . . Heliotrope. 
 
 4. Everlastingremembrance Immortelles. 
 
 Beware of deceit. Danger is near. Depart. 
 
 1. Beware . . . Oleander. 
 
 2. Deceit . . Fly-trap. 
 
 3. Danger is near . . Rhododendron. 
 
 4. Depart . . Dandelion. 
 
 By foresight you will surmount your difficulties. 
 ±. Foresight . . Holly. 
 
 ■J.. You will surmount your 
 
 difficulties . . Mistletoe. 
 
 U^- 
 
 % 
 
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