THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 227 
®Ije Ihcrlei 
BY MISS LANDON. 
Why better than the lady rose 
Love I this little flower ? 
Because its fragrant leaves are those 
I loved in childhood’s hour. 
Though many a flower may win my praise. 
The Violet has my love; 
I did not pass my childish days 
In garden or in grove. 
My garden was the window-seat, 
Upon whose edge was set 
A little vase — the fair, the sweet — 
It was the Violet. 
It was my pleasure and my pride; — 
How I did watch its growth ! 
For health and bloom what plans I tried, 
And often injured both! 
I placed it in the summer shower, 
I placed it in the sun ; 
And ever at the evening hour. 
My work seemed half undone 
The broad leaves spread, the small buds grew. 
How slow they seemed to be ! 
And last there came a tinge of blue, — - 
’Twas worth the world to me. 
