Lilacs 



The universal flower in the old-time garden was 

 the Lilac; it was the most beloved bloom of spring, 

 and gave a name to Spring — Lilac tide. * * * Lilacs 

 shade the front yard; Lilacs grow by the kitchen 

 doorstep ; Lilacs spring up beside the barn ; Lilacs 

 shade the well ; Lilacs hang over the spring house ; 

 Lilacs crowd by the fence side and down the country 

 road. In many colonial dooryards it was the only 

 shrub — known both to lettered and unlettered folk 

 as Laylock, and spelt Laylock too. 



Alice Morse Earle, 



How fair it stood, with purple tassels hung, 



Their hue more tender than the tint of Tyre ; 



How musical amid their fragrance rung 



The bee's bassoon, keynote of spring's glad 

 choir ! 



languorous Lilac 1 still in time's despite 



1 see thy plumy branches all alight 



With new-born butterflies which loved to stay 

 And bask and banquet in the temperate ray 



Of springtime, ere the torrid heats should be : 



For these dear memories, though the world grow 

 gray, 



I sing thy sweetness, lovely Lilac tree ! 



Elizabeth Akers. 



Shrubs there are 

 * * * That at the call of Spring 

 Burst forth in blossomed fragrance ; lilacs, robed 

 In snow-white innocence or purple pride. 



James Thomson. 



The Lilac bush, tall growing with heart-shaped leaves 

 of rich green. 



