FLORA AND THALIA. 133 



PANSY VIOLET. 



{Heartsease, or Love-in-idleness.) 



That very time I saw (but thou couldst not), 



Flying between the cold moon and the earth, 



Cupid all armed : a certain aim he took 



At a fair vestal, throned by the west ; 



And loosed his love shaft smartly from his bow, 



As it should pierce a hundred thousand hearts. 



But I might see young Cupid's fiery shaft 



Quencht in the chaste beams of the watery moon : 



And the imperial votaress passed on, 



In maiden meditation, fancy-free :* 



Yet marked I where the bolt of Cupid fell ; 



It fell upon a little western flower. 



Before milk-white, now purple with love's wound 



And maidens call it Love-in-idleness. 



MIDSUMMER NIGHt's DREAM. 



* This was intended by Shakspeare as a compliment to our 

 maiden queen, tlizabtth. 



