158 
PIMPERNEL. —SENSITIVE PLANT. 
THE PIMPERNEL. 
This sensitive little flower is made the symbol of as¬ 
signation, because the closing of its petals foretels wet; 
but when fully expanded it proclaims fair and dry weather. 
It is consequently called the peasant’s barometer, and the 
shepherd’s weather-glass. 
The peasant loiters at the appointed stile, and the 
-“ Shepherd tells his tale 
Under the hawthorn in the dale.” 
MILTON. 
Closed is the pink-ey’d pimpernel. 
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’Twill surely rain, I see, with sorrow; 
Our jaunt must be put off to-morrow.” 
DR. JENNER, 
THE SENSITIVE PLANT. 
Modesty becomes the brave as well as the fair. Young 
says, 
Of boasting more than of a tomb afraid; 
A soldier should be modest as a maid. 
( 158 ) 
