Crocus. 23 
I might have been, — ah, mc ! 
Thrice sager than I e'er sliall be. 
For what says Time ? 
Alas ! he only shows the truth 
Of aU that I was told in youth. 
Barry CornwalL 
Crocus.... Io«//«. 
The Crocus is one of the earliest of the spring flow- 
ers, and, therefore, a fit emblem of the spring of life. 
It is a small flower, of variegated hues; the principal 
being purple, yellow, and white. The Crocus Yernus, 
or Spring Crocus, is a wild flower now in various parts 
of England, though not considered to be really a native 
of the country. We learn from the favourite writers, 
Mr. and Mrs. Howitt, that they are plentiful about 
Nottingham, '" gleaming at a distance like a perfect 
flood of lilac, and templing very many little hearts, and 
many graver ones too, to go out and gather." 
Oh ! many a glorious flower there grows 
In far and richer lands ; 
But high in my affection e'er 
The beautiful Crocus stands. 
I love their faces, when by one 
And two they're looking out ; 
I love them when the spreading field 
Is purple all about. 
I loved them in the by-gono years 
Of childhood's thoughtless laughter, 
AVhen I marvelled why the flowers came first, 
And the leaves tic season after. 
