FLORA'S LEXICON. 207 



REFOIL, or PURPLE CLOVER. Trifo- 

 lium pratense. Class 17, DIADELPHIA. Or- 

 der : DECANDRIA. Tlie provident husband- 

 man lays up a good store of clover hay for 

 the subsistence of his cattle during the 

 winter months : his earliest spring pastures 

 are also covered with this nutritious plant, 

 which ensures both himself and his stock " a bed of clover." 



The great changes which have taken place in agricultural 

 transactions proves the justness of Atterbury's remark, that " a 

 very prosperous people, flushed with great successes, are seldom 

 so pious, so humble, so just, or so provident, as to perpetuate 

 their happiness." 

 Dryden says, 



Some men, instructed by the lab'ring ant, 

 Provide against th' extremities of want. 



The use of trefoil in armorial bearings is of great antiquity. 

 The Dutch clover, Trifolium repens, is dedicated to St. PatricK 

 it being the shamrock of the Irish. 



PROVIDENCE. 



I 



Just as a mother, with sweet pious face, 

 Yearns towards her children from her seat, 

 Gives one a kiss, another an embrace, 

 Takes this upon her knee, that on her feet; 

 And while from actions, looks, complaints, pretences, 

 She learns their feelings and their various will, 

 To this a look, to that a word dispenses, 

 And whether stern or smiling, loves them still: 

 So Providence for us, high, infinite, 

 Makes our necessities its watchful task, 

 Hearkens to all our prayers, helps all our wants : 

 And even if it denies what seems our right, 

 Either denies because 'twould have us ask, 

 Or seems but to deny, or in denying grants. 



ANON. 



