THE

POETRY OF FLOWERS

AND

FLOWERS OF POETRY

ABSENCE.

WORMWOOD.

WORMWOOD is considered the bitterest of plants. Its scientific name, Absinthium, is derived from the Greek and signifieswithout sweetness. It is therefore very appropriately made the emblem of absence; which according to La Fontaine, is the greatest of evils.

He told me he would come again

When summer's last wild roses bloom,

And when we parted in the glen

The young houstonia shed perfume.

I thought how many flowers must spring
While I my absent love deplore;

I could not bear that early thing

Should not have faded long before.

But fast the scented violets grew,

And blue rhodora with them stood;
And then the rose-bay-laurel blew,

And white viburnum of the wood.

And now the light, midsummer air
Breathes of the swamp-pink and sweet-fern
The lily-bells have withered there-
I know my love will soon return!

Fast fades the long-lived meadow-sweet,
I joy to see it pass away,

But when I with my true love meet,

Long-long may autumn roses stay!

MILLER.

ARTS (THE).

ACANTHUS.

THE Acanthus is found in hot countries along the shores of great rivers.

"Le nil du vert acanthe admire le feuillage."

The ancients tastefully adorned their furniture, vases, and most costly attire, with its elegant leaves. And Virgil writes, that the robe of Helen was bordered with a wreath of acanthus in relief.

This beautiful model of the arts has become their emblem; and he will be talented indeed, who shall produce anything to excel its richness. If any obstacle resists the growth of the acanthus, it seems to struggle to overcome it and to vegetate with renewed vigour. So genius, when acted upon by resist

ance or opposition redoubles its attempts to overthrow every impediment.

It is said that the architect Callimach, passing near the tomb of a young maiden who had died a few days before the time appointed for her nuptials, moved by tenderness and pity approached to scatter some flowers upon her tomb. Another tribute to her memory had preceded his. Her nurse had collected the flowers which should have decked her on her wedding day and putting them with the marriage veil in a little basket had placed it near the grave upon a plant of acanthus, and then covered it with a tile. In the succeeding spring the leaves of the acanthus grew round the basket; but being staid in their growth by the projecting tile, they recoiled and surmounted its extremities. Callimach, surprised by this rural decoration, which seemed the work of the Graces in tears, conceived the capital of the Corinthian column; a magnificent ornament still used and admired by the whole civilized world.

When from the sacred garden driven,
Man fled before his maker's wrath,
An angel left her place in Heaven,

And crossed the wanderer's sunless path,
'Twas Art, sweet art! new radiance broke,
Where her light foot flew o'er the ground,
And thus with seraph voice she spoke-
"The curse, a blessing shall be found!"

He rends the oak and bids it ride,

To guard the shores its beauty graced,
He smites the rock-upheaved in pride,
See towers of strength and domes of taste!

SPRAGUE.

ASSIGNATION.

PIMPERNEL.

THE Common Pimpernel is a beautiful trading weed and one of the Flora Horologica, opening its flowers regularly about eight minutes past seven o'clock, and closing them about three minutes past two o'clock. It serves also as an hydrometer; for if rain fall, or there be much moisture in the atmosphere, the flowers either do not open or close up again. It is fre quently called the shepherd's weather-glass.

Our bonny Kate bound her golden hair,
With a violet wreath for the village-fair,
And tripped with the grace of a gay gazelle,
Where blushes the delicate pimpernel;
For a prophetess true is that lowly flower,
She warns us ever of tempest hour,

When the rain-cloud shadows her humble head,
She folds her petals of brilliant red,

And keeps her sunny heart warm within,
Like a fair girl shutting out grief and sin.

F. S. O.

When the sun o'er yonder mountain,
Smiles farewell to earth and sky,
Meet me Marion, where our fountain
Softly sings its lullaby!

ASYLUM-PROTECTION.

JUNIPER.

THE ancients consecrated this shrub to the Eumenides. The smoke of its green branches was the incense which, in preference, they chose to offer to the infernal gods; and burnt its berries on funeral occasions to drive away evil spirits. The simple villagers of England superstitiously believe that the perfume of its berries purifies the air and protects them from the malevolence of wicked genii.

Its thick branches bristling with thorns are covered with thousands of brilliant insects, which seem to imagine, this tree is provided as a protection for their weakness.

It is said that the powerful odour emitted by the juniper defeats the keen scent of the hound. It thus affords a safe retreat to the hunted hare, which, in the last extremity conceals itself beneath its protecting branches.

Ah no! never deem her less worthy of love,

That once she has trusted and trusted in vain, Would you turn from the timid and innocent dove, If it flew to your breast from a savage's chain.

She too is a dove in her guileless affection,
A child in confiding and worshipping truth,
Half broken in heart she has flown for protection

To you! Will you blight the sweet promise of youth?

F. S. O.