34 
THE MORAL OF FLOWERS. 
THE PRIMROSE. 
PRIMULA VULGARIS. 
U 
Mild offspring of a dark and sullen sire, 
Whose modest form, so delicately fine. 
Was nursed in whirling storms 
And cradled by the winds. 
“ Thee, when young Spring first question’d Winter’s sway, 
And dared the sturdy blusterer to the fight, 
Thee on this bank he threw 
To mark his victory.” 
So many and so pleasing are the associations con¬ 
nected with early spring flowers, that even some, which 
but for these might be considered as homely specimens 
of nature’s handy work, stand high in our favour, and 
seem to possess “ something than beauty dearer.” But 
the primrose is not only rich in associations, as the 
favourite of our infancy, the herald of advancing spring, 
but is gifted with such delicacy of form, colour, and 
fragrance, as make it almost independent of every 
other charm ; and we feel assured, 
“ Long as there’s a sun to set, 
Primroses will have their glory.” 
