THE FLOWERS OF SUMMER 73 



all lower defilements, and nearer to the sky it 

 reflects. There it is fanned by the breezes eternally 

 playing round the mountain -tops. 



Another just lifts its head above the hedge- 

 shaded ditches and slower streams, where it is 

 distinguishable from the white-flowered watercress 

 only by the blue. A professional cress-gatherer 

 whose well-nigh soleless boots are always wet 

 tells me that when in leaf alone, they are gathered 

 together by the unskilled and sold for salad. 



Most deserving of the name of veronica is the 

 germander speedwell. There the blue is delight- 

 fully sky-like in its purity. Happily, it is not 

 rare. By roadsides with a little bank sloping up 

 to the hedge, it grows among the springing grasses. 

 There it gladdens the wayfarer through the fresh 

 months of May and June, and even into hot July. 

 I do not envy one who passes by without 

 looking. 



It refuses to be touched. When pulled, it rains 

 down its blue flower where all the petals are in 

 one to hide away among the grass. Therein it 

 shows its good taste. It will not be taken where 

 it cannot reflect the sky. 



Forgetting the traditions of the race, one creeps 

 in among the shades. It gets the name of mountain 



