34 THE POETRY OF FLOWERS. 
THE POETRY OF FLOWERS. 
There are few natural objects more poetical in 
their general associations than flowers ; nor has 
there ever been a poet, simple or sublime, who has 
not adorned his verse with these specimens of na- 
ture's cunning workmanship. From the majestic 
sunflower, towering above her sisters of the gar- 
den, and faithfully turning to welcome the god of 
day, to the little humble and well-known weed 
that is said to close its crimson eye before impend- 
ing showers, there is scarcely one flower which 
may not, from its loveliness, its perfume, its natural 
situation, or its classical association, be considered 
highly poetical. 
As the welcome messenger of spring, the snow- 
drop claims our first regard ; and countless are the 
lays in which the praises of this little modest 
flower are sung. The contrast it presents of green 
and white (ever the most pleasing of contrasts to 
the human eye) may be one reason why mankind 
agree in their admiration of its simple beauties; 
but a far more powerful reason is the delightful 
association by which it is connected with the idea 
of returning spring ; the conviction that the vege- 
table world through the tedious winter months has 
not been dead, but sleeping ; and that long nights, 
fearful storms, and chilling blasts have a limita- 
tion and a bound assigned them, and must in their 
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