Floral Poetry. 
77 
Thou art a reveller of day, 
A fair, rejoicing child of light; 
Glad while the sunbeams o’er thee play, 
But drooping in the quiet night. 
Like unto those who freely spend 
Their kindness in our happier hours ; 
But should affliction want a friend, 
They prove the sun’s adoring flowers. 
Anon. 
THE COWSLIP’S STORY. 
/YXHE Cowslip sweet was a milkmaid once, 
A A milking maiden fair to see, 
But the lover she worshipped was naught but a dunce, 
And she grew yellow with jealousy. 
For he followed a lass with bold black e’en, 
And she was left to pine and cry, 
And her poor heart bled ; till in gown of sheen, 
She laid herself down on a bank to die. 
They buried her there, and out of her grave 
There grew a plant with soft green leaves, 
And a pale fair bud, that pity would crave, 
Sprinkled with heart-drops, ever it grieves. 
Now, maidens all, be wary and wise, 
Choose not a love who will leave you to pine ; 
But whoso courts you in truthful guise, 
Test him, and take him for Valentine. 
B. Montgomerie Ranking. 
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