124 the associations of flowers 
And then, I love the field-flowers too, 
Because they are a blessing given, 
Evhi to the poorest little one 
That wanders ’neath the vault of heaven. 
The garden-flowers are reared for few, 
And to those few belong alone ; 
But flowers that spring by vale or stream, 
Each one may claim them for his own. 
The rich parterre is walled around, 
But meadow lands stretch far and wide, 
And we may gather lovely flowers 
For miles along the river-side ; 
And far amidst the landscape wild 
Wander the scenes of beauty o’er, 
Now lingering in the violet glen, 
Now roaming on the thymy moor. 
Or pause where foam-like meadow queers 
Scatters her blossoms on the lake. 
Or where the orchis blooms among 
The lady-fern or feathery brake; 
Or sit beside the winding path 
Bordered by ripening wheat or oat, 
When on the gentle summer air 
The poppy’s crimson banners float. 
And O, I joy as spring comes round, 
Flinging her scents o’er glen and hill ! 
For though I love the garden-flowers, 
I love the wild buds better still. 
Then let me stray into the fields, 
Or seek the green wood’s shady bowers, 
Marking the beauties and the scents 
Of .simple blossoms — sweet wild-flowers. 
A. F. 
