72 FLORAL EMBLEMS. 



BASHFUL MODESTY. 



Sensitive Plant. — Mimosa sensitiva. 



" Whence does it happen that the plant, which well 

 We name sensitive, should move and feel ? 

 When know her leaves to answer her command. 

 And with quick horror fly the neighbouring hand V 



Prior^s Solomon. 



" This little plant — how cautiously it meets 



Th' approaching hand ! advance, and it retreats ! 

 See how it flies from the suppos'd disgrace. 

 And shrinks from contact of the rude embrace ! 



So wisdom folly should for ever shun ; 

 So virtue from the touch of vice should run ; 

 So female beauty should from flatt'ry fly. 

 And spurn the incense of the gilded lie.'' 



Modesty becomes the brave as well as the 

 fair. Young says, 



"Of boasting more than of a tomb afraid ; 

 A soldier should be modest as a maid." 



