S^is^- 89 
And thou, so rich iu gentle names, appealing 
To hearts that own our nature's common lot; 
Thou, stj'led by sportive Fancy's better feeling 
A Thought, the Heart' s-Ease, and Forget-me-not. 
Barton. 
Daisy. . ..Innocence. 
SuAKSPEARE speaks of the Daisy as the flower 
^A"hose white investments figure innocence; 
and succeeding poets have generally used it as the 
image of that pure qualit}'. Fable informs us that the 
Dais^- owes its origin to Bolides, one of the Dryads, 
who were supposed to preside over meadows and pas- 
tures. While dancing on the turf with Ephigeus, 
whose suit she encouraged, she attracted the admira- 
tion of Vertumnus, the deity who presided over orchards ; 
and, to escape from him, she was transformed into the 
humble flower, the Latin name of which is Bellis. The 
ancient English name of the flower was Day's Eye, of 
which Daisy is a corruption. In Ossian's poems, the 
Daisy is called the flower of the new-born — most ex- 
pressive of innocence. 
When smitten by the morning ray, 
I see thee rise alert and gay. 
Then, cheerful flower ! my spirits play 
With kindred gladness : 
And when, at dark, by dews opprest, 
Thou sink'st, the image of thy rest 
Hath often eased my pensive breast 
Of careful sadness. 
WordswoHh. 
