Her goodly bosom, like a Strawberry bed ; 



Her neck, like to a bunch of Columbines ; 



Her breast, like Lilies ere their leaves be shed ; 



Her nipples, like young blossomed Jessamines : 

 Such fragrant flowers do give most odorous smell 

 But her sweet odour did them all excel. 



SPENSER. 



LOVE-LETTERS MADE OF FLOWERS 



ON A PRINT OF ONE OF THEM IN A BOOK 



A 



N exquisite invention this. 

 Worthy of Love's most honied kiss. 

 This art of writing billets-doux 

 In buds, and odours, and bright hues ! 

 In saying all one feels and thinks 

 In clever daffodils and pinks ; 

 In puns of tulips ; and in phrases. 

 Charming for their truth, of daisies ; 

 Uttering, as well as silence may. 

 The sweetest words the sweetest way. 

 How fit too for the lady's bosom ! 

 The place where billets-doux repose 'em. 



What delight, in some sweet spot 

 Combining love with garden plot. 

 At once to cultivate one's flowers 

 And one's epistolary powers ! 

 Growing one's own choice words and fancies 

 In orange tubs, and beds of pansies ; 

 One's sighs and passionate declarations 

 In odorous rhetoric of carnations ; 



22 



