170 
THE MORAL OF FLOWERS. 
flowers. Perhaps the most admired species is the China 
Aster, the seeds of which (according to Miller) were 
brought from China to France by the Missionaries, 
where it obtained the name of La Heine Marguerite, or 
Queen Daisy. But whilst some of these plants assume 
an almost gaudy appearance, others, which blossom later, 
have a very wan and sickly hue, harmonising well with 
the declining season ; on this account we do not deny 
them that share of our regard which they seem meekly 
to solicit, but which they certainly would not obtain, did 
they bloom when the garden is in its prime. 
‘ The last brilliant smile of gay Summer has shone, 
Her last rose has blossom’d, is faded and gone, 
Her soft-winged breezes have heaved their last sigh, 
Her bright tints have vanish’d from earth, sea, and sky, 
And the wild gale of Autumn a requiem pours 
O’er sunbeams departed and languishing flowers; 
Then wherefore, unwarn’d by the dying and dead. 
To yon cold gloomy sky dost thou lift thy pale head ? 
Can it be that thou com’st at this desolate hour, 
To exult o’er the fallen in thicket and bower; 
Or, ambitious of state, wouldst thou rather thus reign 
When the rose has departed, than bow in her train ? 
