LILY OF THE VALLEY. 158 



us to humble stations, their works may be compared 

 to Lilies of the Valley, which give pleasure to all 

 that behold them, and can never be found offensive 

 by any rank or station of men. Prior, after look- 

 ing at this flower, wrote — 



"Why does one climate and one soil endue 



The blushing Poppy with a crimson hue, 



Yet leave the Lily pale, and tinge the Violet blue. 



These are reflections which flowers bring to our 

 contemplation, and which must always end in our 

 admiration of the infinite wisdom of the Creator, 

 who formed man with mind, and the Lily with 

 fragrance. 



Prior adds — 



Take but the humblest Lily of the field ; 

 And if our pride will to our reason yield, 

 It must by sure comparison be shown, 

 That on the regal seat great David's son, 

 Array'd in all his robes and types of pow'r, 

 Shines with less glory than that simple flow'r. 



This native flower did not fail to catch the atten- 

 tion of our great dramatic bard, whose pen could 

 not touch the humblest plant without portraying 

 its character to the life, and his happiest similes 

 are often taken from flowers. 



Shipwreck'd upon a kingdom, where no pity ! 

 No friends ! no hope ! no kindred weep for me, 

 Almost no grave allowed me ! like the Lily, 

 That once was mistress of the field, and flourish'd, 

 I'll hang my head and perish. 



The Lily, for its delicate whiteness, has been as 



