INTRODUCTION. 31 
is customary in some countries to pluck off the leaves 
of the marigold or any flower of the aster kind, while 
certain words are repeated, in order to ascertain the 
character or inclination of the individual. Gbthe has 
touched upon this superstition in his tragedy of 
Faust, in which Margaret plucks off the leaves of a 
flower, at the same time alternately repeating the 
words : — " He loves me." — " He loves me not." On 
coming to the last leaf she joyfully exclaims — " He 
loves me !" and Faust says : " Let this flower pro- 
nounce the decree of heaven !" 
This circumstance has been chosen by Retsch for 
the subject of one of his exquisite sketches for the 
illustration of Faust, to an engraving of which Miss 
Landon wrote a little poem entitled " The Decision 
of the Flower," containing these lines : 
And with scarlet poppies around, like a bower, 
The maiden found her mystic flower; 
" Now, gentle flower, I pray thee tell 
If my lover loves me, and loves me well ; 
So may the fall of the morning dew 
Keep the sun from fading thy tender blue, 
Now I number the leaves for my lot — 
He loves not — he loves me— he loves rae not — 
