FLORAL EMBLEMS. 255 



But, dear girl, both flowers and beauty 



Blossom, fade, and die away ; 

 Then pursue good sense and duty, 



Ever-greens that ne'er decay." 



Thomson says, 



" Observe the rising lily's snowy grace ; 

 Observe the various vegetable race ; 

 They neither toil nor spin, but careless gi'ow ; 

 Yet, see how warm they blush ! how bright they glow ! 

 What regal vestments can with them compare ? 

 What king so shining, or what queen so fair ?" 



PURITY OF SENTIMENT. 



White Violet. — Viola alba. 



" That strain again — it had a dying fall ; 

 O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet breath 

 That breathes upon a bank of violets. 

 Stealing, and giving odour." 



Shakspeaie. 



The white pink is also emblematical of 

 purity of sentiment. 



It is observed by Thomson, that 



*' From the body's purity, the mind 

 Receives a secret aid." 



