FLORAL EMBLEMS. 169 



HOPE. 



HAWTHORN. Cratagus. 

 " Now let me sit beneath the whitening thorn." 



" And hope, that decks the peasant's bower, 

 Shines like the rainbow through the shower:" 



Cunningham. 



In floral language the hawthorn blossoms 

 are made the happy emblem of Hope, from 

 the custom of the Athenian girls crowning 

 themselves with these flowers at weddings. 

 The altar of Hymen was also lighted with 

 torches of this tree, which from its gaseous 

 nature, produces a bright flame in its green 

 state. 



" Hope, like the glimmering taper's light, 



Illumes and cheers the way, 

 And still, as darker grows the night, 



Emits a brighter ray." 



Goldsmith. 



