244 POPULAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



special local circumstances which affect the welfare of 

 the plants, but we can certainly grow some species 

 quite creditably without any special help from fortune. 



It is a rare old flower the Lily, and it has stimulated 

 the great minds of all ages. They have seen in its 

 grace and purity the symbols of lofty moral instincts, 

 and have used it repeatedly as a figure of beauty and 

 chastity. 



" I love the Lily as the first of flowers," 



wrote Montgomery. This mediaeval poet gave it, we 

 see, pride of place in the garden. He preferred it 

 even to the Rose. 



Later, Cowper pursued a more measured course. 

 He could not choose between the two beautiful flowers, 

 and so he gave them dual sovereignty 



" Within the garden's peaceful scene 

 Appeared two lovely foes, 

 Aspiring to the rank of Queen 

 The Lily and the Rose. 



* . e 



* Yours is,' she said, * the nobler hue, 

 And yours the statelier mien, 

 And till a third surpasses you, 

 Let each be deemed a Queen.'" 



Shakespeare dearly loved the Lily, and referred to 

 it again and again. Recall the noble and familiar lines 

 in u King John," Act iv. scene 2 



" To guard a title that was rich before, 

 To gild refined gold, to paint the Lily, 

 To throw a perfume on the Violet, 

 To smooth the ice, or add another hue 

 Unto the rainbow, or with taper light 

 To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, 

 Is wasteful and ridiculous excess." 



