116 
^or^it-mt-not. 
Forget-me-not. 
The name of this flower expresses clearly enough 
the meaning which is given to it. As a remembrancer 
it is universally received and eulogized. The name is 
derived from a German tradition, full of melancholy 
romance. It is related that a young couple, on the eve 
of being united, while walking along the banks of the 
Danube, saw a cluster of these flowers, floating on the 
stream, which was bearing it away. The affianced 
bride admired the beauty of the flower, and lamented 
its fatal destiny. The lover plunged into the water to 
secure it. No sooner had he caught it than he found 
himself sinking; but, making a last effort, he threw it 
on the bank at the feet of his betrothed, and, at the 
moment of disappearing for ever, exclaimed, “ Vergiss 
mein nicht!” Since that event, this flower has been 
made emblematical of the sentiment, Forget-me-not. 
Its corollas are of a soft cerulean-blue colour, and it 
presents an interesting appearance as it grows along 
the banks of the rivers. The Forget-me-not is found 
in great perfection on the banks of a small stream near 
Luxembourg, in France. The stream is called the 
Fairies’ Bath, and its banks are the favourite resort of 
festive parties. 
That blue and bright-eyed floweret of the brook, 
Hope’s gentle gem—the fair Forget-me-not. 
Coleridge. 
