THE SENSITIVE PLANT. 



of experiments, the results of which satisfied himself, but do 

 not appear to have convinced others. Shelley has written 

 some lively verses about the plant, from which we extract 

 a few lines : — 



" A Sensitive Plant in a garden grew, 



And the young winds fed it with silver dew, 



And it opened its fan-like leaves to the light, 



And closed them beneath the kisses of Night. 



****** 



— the Sensitive Plant, which could give small fruit 

 Of the love which it felt from the leaf to the root, 

 Received more than all [flowers], it loved more than ever. 

 Where none wanted but it, could belong to the giver — 



For the Sensitive Plant has no bright flower ; 

 Radiance and odour are not its dower ; 

 It loves, even like Love, its deep heart is full. 

 It desires what it has not, the beautiful ! 

 ****** 



Each and all like ministering angels were 

 For the Sensitive Plant sweet joy to bear. 

 Whilst the lagging hours of the day went by 

 Like windless clouds o'er a tender sky. 



And when evening descended from heaven above. 

 And the earth was all rest, and the air was all love. 

 And delight, though less bright, was far more deep, 

 And the da/s veil fell from the world of sleep, 

 ****** 



The Sensitive Plant was the earliest 

 Up-gathered into the bosom of rest ; 

 A sweet child weary of its delight,- 

 The feeblest, and yet the favourite. 

 Cradled within the embrace of night." 

 183 



