48 
THE MORAL OF FLOWERS. 
misfortune could obliterate. This flower blossoms in 
April and May, and, from its choice of abode, it comes 
“ With fascination to the heart address’d,” 
and seems to pour forth a rich strain of morality to 
those who have an ear for the lessons of nature. 
“It is owing, perhaps, to the artificial combination 
of various materials that many vegetables grow on and 
around ruined fortifications and castles, among whose 
relics the botanist finds frequent objects of interest; the 
campanula nods on the battlement, and the wall-flower 
gives her odours to the breeze as it sighs around the 
lonely pile which had once echoed only to the voice 
of cheerfulness and revelry. The works of man are 
ever going to decay; those of nature are in perpetual 
renovation.” 
“ The weed is green when grey the wall, 
And blossoms rise where turrets fall.” 
What various turns of chance and fate 
This mouldering pile has known ; 
What rude magnificence and state 
Within its walls were shown, 
When “ crowds of knights” and ladies gay 
“ In weeds of peace” kept holiday. 
