EVENING PRIMROSE. 95 



nor dark ; and the spot wherein it grew was 

 much to be remembered, for the moon was 

 full, and the mists of night veiled, as with 

 a light transparent vapour, all the loveHest 

 features of the landscape. The river was 

 heard to rush along, as with a congregated 

 roar, the rocky banks and trees assumed a 

 sterner character, and far away, for pro- 

 minent objects could be dimly seen in the 

 bright moonbeams, uprose, as from a sea 

 of vapour, the deserted walls of old Ruth- 

 ven's haunted tower ; but no one could dis- 

 cern, in looking at them, that the halls were 

 lonely now, or that the night-mnd was free 

 to find an entrance through the broken win- 

 dows. They stood forth as if restored to 

 their ancient state, for the friendly moon- 

 beams showed not the rents of ruin. Here 

 then, in one of the loveliest portions of the 

 vale of Clwyd, grew the evening primrose, 

 with its fragrant and large yellow flowers. 



