146 FLORA XTGMESTICA. 



Dear shalt thou be to future men 

 As in old time ; thou, not in vain, 

 Art Nature's favourite." 



Nor in vain is it a favourite with the poet, who emulates 

 Chaucer himself in doing it honour. At one time he de- 

 scribes it as 



" A nun demure, of lowly port ; 

 Or sprightly maiden of Love's court, 

 In her simplicity the sport 



Of all temptations. 

 A queen in crown of rubies <lreBt ; 

 A starveling in a scanty vest ; 

 Are all as seems to suit it best, 

 Its appellations. 



" A little Cyclops with one eye 

 Staring to threaten and defy, 

 That thought comes next 3 and instantly 



The freak is over, 



The shape will vanish ; and, behold ! 

 A silver shield with boss of gold, 

 That spreads itself, some faery bold 

 In fight to cover." 



But again we must remember this is not to be a re- 

 print of Mr. Wordsworth's poems. 



Montgomery, too, has written in praise of the Daisy ; 

 for who that has one sparkle of true poetry does not love it f 

 Some have gone so far as to say, that his praises of this little 

 flower have made it his own for ever, but this can scarcely 

 be while those of Chaucer and Wordsworth are remem- 

 bered ; and it is no ill compliment to Montgomery to say, 

 that it is not likely he will be remembered when they are 

 forgotten. 



These lines were addressed to a Daisy found in full bloom 

 on Christmas day, 1808 : 



" There is a flower, a little flower, 

 With silver crest and golden eye. 



