44 
THE MORAL OF FLOWERS. 
But, though so handsome, it does not seem a favourite 
of the muse; for it is rarely mentioned by the poets. 
Ben Jonson, indeed, gives it a “slender help to fame,” 
by placing it in a nosegay composed of almost every 
flower of the garden : — 
“ Bring cornflag, tulip, and Adonis-flower ; 
Fair ox-eye, goldy-locks, and columbine, 
Pinks, goidands, king-cups, and sweet sops-in-wine ; 
Blue harebells, paigles, pansies, calaminth, 
Flower-gentle, and the fair-haired hyacinth : 
Bring rich carnations, fleur-de-luces, lilies, 
Bright crown-imperial,” &c. 
The grass which clothes the meads to-day, 
But withers with to-morrow’s ray. 
The rose aye coupled with the thorn, 
The lily, by the rude blast torn, 
Yet still so fragrant and so meek — 
These to our common nature speak, 
And utter truths of thrilling sound, 
Wher e’er a human heart is found. 
