

FLORAL DICTIONARY. 



IN the gardens of the East, Flora receives the homage due 

 for her widely scattered and various gifts. Oh flowers ! flowers ' 

 we may well think them the " alphabet of the angels." But 

 how coldly do we look on them ; how often are we regardless 

 of their charms here ; while in other lands they almost sub- 

 serve the use of writing, expressing by a blossom, joy, grief, 

 hope, despair, devotion, piety, and almost every sentiment that 

 fills the mind. 



In Eastern lands they talk in flowers, 



And they tell in a garland their loves and cares ; 

 Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowers, 

 On its leaves a mystic language bears. 



The Rose is the sign of joy and love, 

 Young blushing love in its earliest dawn ; 



And the mildness that suits the gentle dove 

 From the Myrtle's snowy flower is drawn. * 



Innocence dwells in the Lily's bell, 



Pure as a heart in its native heaven ; 

 Fames bright star, and glory's swell, 



By the glossy leaf of the bay are given. 



The silent, soft, and humble heart, 

 In the Violet's hidden sweetness breathes; 



And the tender sonl, that cannot part 

 A twine of evergreen fondly wreathes. 



The Cypress that darkly shades the grave, 



Is sorrow that mourns its bitter lot; 

 And faith, that a thousand ills can brave, 



Speaks in thy blue leaves Forget Me Not. 



Then gather a wreath from the garden bower?, 

 And tell the wish of thy heart in flowers. 



