FLOWERS AND HUMANITY 



must be content to quote three verses from Leigh Hunt's 

 "Songs of the Flowers," in which he surpasses all other poets 

 in his description of the life of flowers and their relation to hu- 

 manity. From the point of view of the naturalist this is the 

 most remarkable poem on flowers in any language, "fathoming," 

 says Hamilton W. Mabie, "the very soul of flowers." "No 

 poet in this nor in many a generation past has said a sweeter 

 or more haunting word for the flowers." 



"We are the sweet flowers, 



Born of sunny showers, 

 Think, whene'er you see us, what beauty saith: 



Utterance mute and bright 



Of some unknown delight, 

 W^e fill the air with pleasure, by our simple breath: 



All who see us, love us; 



We befit all places; 

 Unto sorrow we give smiles; and unto graces, graces. 



See, and scorn all duller 



Taste, how Heav'n color lover. 

 How great Nature, clearly joys in red and green; 



What sweet thoughts she thinks 



Of violets and pinks. 

 And a thousand flashing hues made solely to be seen; 



See her whitest lilies 



Chill the silver showers, 

 x\nd what red mouth has her rose, the woman of the flowers. 



Think of all these treasures. 



Matchless works and pleasures, 

 Everyone a marvel, more than thought can say; 



Then think in what bright show'rs 



We thicken fields and bowers. 

 And with what heaps of sweetness half wanton May. 



Think of the mossy forest 



By the bee-birds haunted. 

 And all those Amazonian plains, lone lying as enchanted." 



