18 A REMINDER TO PLANT TO HELP 



"For a' that an' a' that, 

 Guns, guillotines, and a' that, 

 The Fleur-de-lis, that lost her right, 

 Is queen again for a' that!" 



Scott: For a' that an' a' that. 



According to another account the name "Fleur-de-lis" owes its 

 origin to the circumstance that, according to the account, a ford 

 over the river Lys was indicated to a French King, when hard 

 pressed by his enemies, by the abundance of a -yellow flowered 

 water-loving species of Iris. 



Some find the origin of the name in "delice," French for "de- 

 light" Fleur-delice, Flower of Delight. 



"Strow me the ground with daffadowndillies, 

 And cowslips, and kingcups and loved lilies; 

 The pretty paunce, 

 And the chevisaunce, 

 Shall match with the fair Flow'r delice." 



Spenser: Shepherd's Calendar April. 



Irises in the olden-time gardens were sometimes known as 

 "Flags," a name still common for the marsh-loving species. 



"The next pool they came near unto 

 Was bare of trees; there only grew 

 Straight Flags, 'and lilies just a few." 



Mrs. E. B. Browning: Vision of Poets. 



"The Blue-flag, waving welcomes from the marsh, 

 The lily of the pond and of the vale, 

 The daisy, violet, and butter cup, 

 The elder-berry and the bridal wreath, 

 From garden, grove or roadside all are cull'd 

 And weaved in wreaths to deck the soldiers' graves." 

 Raymond: A Life in Song. 



"But yet from out the little hill 

 Oozes the slender springlet still. 

 And shepherd boys repair 

 To seek the Water-flag and rush, 

 And rest them by the hazel bush, 

 And plait their garlands fair." 

 Scott: Marmion. 



