WILD FLOWERS. 185 



the water-lilies spread out their leaves upon it 

 like the pallettes of fairy painters ; and that 

 opposite bank, what a prodigal scene of vigorous 

 and abundant vegetation it is. There are the 

 blue geraniums as lovely as ever ; the meadow- 

 sweet is hastening to put out its form-like 

 flowers ; that species of golden-flowered mustard 

 occupies the connecting space between the land 

 and water ; and harebells, the jagged pink 

 lichnis, and flowering grass of various kinds, 

 make the whole bank beautiful."* Beautiful, 

 indeed ! Well might the lady of this painter of 

 Nature sing : 



"Hove the odorous hawthorn flower, 



I love the wilding's bloom to see 

 I love the light anemonies 

 That tremble to the faintest breeze, 

 And hyacinth-like orchises 



Are very dear to me. 

 ," The star-wort is a fairy flower, 



The violet is a thing to prize, 

 The wild pink on the craggy ledge, 

 The waving, sword-lik e water's-edge, 

 And e'en the Robin-run-i'-the-hedge, 



Are precious in mine eyes." 



* Rural Life in England. 

 16* 



