192 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



of this flower, and I do not know that I can do better than 

 steal a few of its pages to adorn this. 



" It is pleasant to light upon an universal favourite, whose merits 

 answer one's expectation. We know little or nothing of the common 

 flowers among the ancients; but as violets in general have their due 

 mention among the poets that have come down to us, it is to be con- 

 cluded that the Heart's-ease could not miss its particular admiration, 

 if indeed it existed among them in its perfection. The modern Latin 

 name for it is^o* Jovis, or Jove's flower, an appellation rather too 

 worshipful for its little sparkling delicacy, and more suitable to the 

 greatness of an hydrangea or to the diadems of a rhododendron. 



f Quseque per irriguas quaereada Sisymbria valles 

 Crescunt, nectendis cum myrto nata coronis ; 

 Flosque Jovis varius, folii tricoloris, et ipsi 

 Par viola, nulloque tamen spectatus odore.' 



RAPINI HORTORUM, lib. i, 



< With all the beauties in the vallies bred, 

 Wild mint, that's born with myrtle crowns to wed, 

 And Jove's own flower, that shares the violet's pride, 

 Its want of scent with triple charm supplied.' 



" The name given it by the Italians isjlammola, the little flame ; 

 at least, this is an appellation with which I have met, and it is quite 

 in the taste of that ardent people. The French are perfectly aimable 

 with theirs : they call it pensee, a thought, from which comes our 

 word Pansy : 



" ' There's rosemary,' says poor Ophelia ; that's for remembrance; 

 pray you, love, remember ; -and there is pansies, that 's for 

 thoughts.' Drayton, in his world of luxuries, the Muse's Elysium, 

 where he fairly stifles you with sweets, has given, under this name of 

 it, a very brilliant image of its effect in a wreath of flowers; the 

 nymph says, 



' Here damask roses, white and red, 



Out of my lap first take I, 

 Which still shall run along the thread ; 



My chiefest flow'r this make I. 

 Amongst these roses in a row, 



Next place I pinks in plenty, 

 These double-daisies then for show ; 



And will not this be dainty ? 



