NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 



The violet has ever been a favorite flower with the poets; 

 from Shakespeare and Milton down to the present day we 

 find mention of this, lovely flower scattered through their 

 verses. Nor are the old Italian poets silent in its praise. 

 Luigi de Gonzaga, in stanzas addressed to his lady-love 

 (Maria Mancini), says: 



" But only violets shall twine 

 Thy ebon tresses, lady mine." 



Milton, in his sonnet to " Echo," speaks of the " violet 

 .embroidered vale." 



Here are lines to early violets, after the manner of the 

 old English poet, Herrick: 



Children of sweetest birth, 

 Why do ye bend to earth 

 Eyes in whose deepest blue 

 Lies hid the diamond dew ? 



Has not the early ray 



Yet kissed those tears away 



That fell with closing day ? 



Say, do ye fear to meet 



The hail and driving sleet 



Which gloomy winter stern 



Flings from his snow-wreathed urn? 



Or do ye fear the breeze, 



So sadly sighing thro' the trees, 



Will chill your fragrant flowers 



'Ere April's silv'ry showers 



Have visited your bowers ? 



Why came ye till the Cuckoo's voice 



Bade hill and dale rejoice ? 



Till Philomel, with tender tone 



Waking the echoes lone, 



Bade woodland glades prolong 



Her sweetly tuneful song ? 



Till Skylark blithe and Linnet grey, 

 From fallow brown and meadow gay, 

 Pour forth their jocund roundelay ? 



