FLORA'S LEXICON. 



219 



ALL SPEEDWELL. Veronica Arvensis. 

 Class 2, Diandria. Order: Monooynia. 



This beautiful plant, that attaches itself to 

 old walls, 



" And decks his branch with blossoms over all;" 

 reflecting in its petals the azure of the hea- 

 vens, is made the symbol of fidelity. 

 Its relative, the common speedwell, veronica officinalis, stands 

 as the emblem of resemblance ; the Greek name of speedwell 

 meaning true image. 



Fairest resemblance of thy Maker fair, 



Thee, all things living gaze on. Milton. 



FIDELITY. 



How shall I see those pleasant fields again, 



When I shall miss, whene'er mine eyes I bend, 

 The look, the smile, of that beloved friend, 

 Who made this world, so oft a world of pain," 

 To me, oh, more than happy! — Every scene 

 Was here familiar, from life's early morn, 

 The trees, the tow'r, the cliff, the hill-top thorn; 



And, long-accustom'd on my arm to lean, 

 I oft have heard her say, that "search around 

 The earth, no spot more blissful could be found." 



Thy path is now beyond those fading hills, 

 And many a fear my anxious bosom fills, 



W T hich Fancy shapes in solitude ! but yet,— 

 I know thy warm and honest heart replies, 

 (A tear of accusation in thine eyes) 



"Oh! can I ever these or thee forget!" 

 Well! be thou happy! but I fear, the day 

 Will come, when I with aching heart shall say 

 (Watching the melancholy show'rs of eve), 

 "Why didst thou ever these green valleys leave 1" 



Bowles. 



