FLORAL EMBLEMS. .215 



MODESTY. 



Sweet Violet. — Viola odorata. 



" Franche d'ambition, je me cache sous I'herbe, 

 Modeste en ma couleur, modeste en men sejour; 

 Mais si sur votre front je puis me voir un jour, 

 La plus humble des fleurs sera la plus superbe." 



Desmartes. 



This unobtrusive flower is no less honoured 

 by its emblem than the rose or the myrtle, 

 to which it is so essential to complete the de- 

 lights they can inspire. Its motto is " // 

 Jaut ?ne chercher.'' Cunningham makes the 

 violet say, 



'' Modest though the maids declare me. 

 May, in her fantastic train. 

 When Pastora deigns to wear me. 

 Has no flow'ret half so vain." 



The poets of the sixteenth century appear 



