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The Lily of the Valley. 
(RETURN OF HAPPINESS.) 
“ Be thy advent the emblem of all I would crave.” 
Bernard Barton. 
HE Lily of the Valley , sometimes called the May Lily, 
1 and in some country villages Ladder to Heaven, in the 
floral languages of Europe is emblematic of the return of 
happiness, doubtless in allusion to the season of the year when 
it puts forth its timid little blossoms. 
Although this flower is generally spoken of as white, there 
are several coloured varieties belonging to the species; as, for 
instance, one with red blossoms, one with double red, and one, 
much larger than the common sort, beautifully variegated with 
purple. 
Keats was very fond of this shy little floral fairy, and says: 
“No flower amid the garden fairer grows 
Than the sweet lily of the lowly vale, 
The queen of flowers.” 
And further on he sings of 
“ Valley-lilies, whiter still 
Than Leda’s love.” 
In that enchanted garden where the sensitive plant grew, 
Shelley lovingly placed 
“ The naiad-like lily of the vale, 
Whom youth makes so fair, and passion so pale, 
That the light of its tremulous bells is seen 
Through their pavilions of tender green.” 
Then, to descend to more earthly versification, we find 
Bishop Mant opening a long poem in praise of this poet’s pet 
with the following lines : 
