The Canadian Horticulturist. 279 



A FLORAL LOVE STORY. 



'AIR (Marigold) a maiden was, (Sweet William) was her lover; 

 Their path was twined with (Bitter-sweet), it did not run 



through (Clover). 

 The (Ladies' Tresses) raven were, her cheeks a lovely (Rose), 

 She wore fine (Lady's Slippers) to warm her small (Pink) toes. 

 Her (Poppy) was an (Elder) who had a (Mint) of gold, 

 An awful old (Snapdragon), to make one's blood run cold 1 

 His temper was like (Sour Grass), his daughter's heart he wrung 

 With words both fierce and bitter — he had an (Adder's Tongue) ! 

 The lover's hair was like the (Flax), of pure Germanic type ; 

 He wore a (Dutchman's Breeches), he smoked a (Dutchman's Pipe). 

 He sent (Marshmallows) by the pound, and choicest (Wintergreen) ; 

 She painted him (Forget-me-nots), the bluest ever seen ! 

 He couldn't serenade her within the (Nightshade) dark, 

 For every (Thyme) he tried it her father's (Dogwood) bark, 

 And so he set a certain day to meet at (Four-o'clock), — 

 Her face was pale as (Snowdrops), e'en whiter than her frock. 

 The lover vowed he'd (Pine) and die if she should say him no. 

 And then he up and kissed her beneath the (Mistletoe). 

 " My love will (Live-for-ever), my sweet, will you be true ? 

 Give me a little (Heartsease), say only ' I love (Yew) !' " 

 She faltered that for him alone she'd (Orange Blossoms) wear — 

 Then swayed like supple ( Willow), and tore her (Maidenhair) 

 For (Madder) than a hornet, before them stood her Pop, 

 Who swore he'd (Cane) the fellow until he made him (Hop) I 

 Oh, quickly up (Rosemary) ! she cried, " You'll (Rue) the day. 

 Most cruel father ! Haste, my dear and (Lettuce) flee away !" 

 But the inhuman parent so plied his (Birch) rod there 

 He settled all flirtation between that hapless (Pear). 

 The youth a monastery sought, and donned a black (Monkshood) I 

 The maid ate (Poison Ivy), and died within a wood. 

 — Catherine Young Glen, in March Ladies' Home Journal. 



