154 
Dahlia.... Elegance and Dignity. 
The Dahlia is a native of South America, hut is now 
extensively cultivated in Europe and North America. 
The shrub grows to a considerable height, and the 
flowers are large and beautiful. The most common 
colours are crimson and purple. No more appropriate 
emblem of elegance and dignity of carriage could have 
been selected. These qualities strike us at the first 
view of the Dahlia. 
I loved thee for thy high-born grace, 
Thy deep and lustrous eye— 
For the sweet meaning of thy brow, 
And for thy bearing high. 
I'loved thee for thy stainless truth, 
Thy thirst for higher things, 
For all that to our common lot 
A better temper brings. 
And are they not all thine—still thine ? 
Is not thy heart as true ? 
Holds not thy step its noble grace ? 
Thy cheek its dainty hue ? 
And have I not an ear to hear ? 
And a cloudless eye to see—■ 
And a thirst for beautiful human thought, 
That first was stirred by thee ? 
Willis. 
