1 
WILD FLOWERS. 185 
the -water-lilies spread out their leaves upon it 
like the paliettes of fairy painters ; and that 
opposite bank, what a prodigal scene of vigorous 
and abundant vegetation it is'. There are the 
blue geraniums as lovely as ever ; the meadow¬ 
sweet is hastening to put out its form-like 
flowers ; that species of golden-flowered mustard 
occupies the connecting space between the land 
and water; and harebells, the jagged pink 
lichnis, and flowering grass of various kinds, 
make the whole bank beautiful.”* Beautiful, 
indeed ! Well might the lady of this painter of 
Nature sing :— 
“Hove the odorous hawthorn flower, 
I love the wilding’s bloom to see 
I love the light anemonies 
That tremble to the faintest breeze, 
And hyacinth-like orchises 
Are very dear to me. 
The star-wort is a fairy flower, 
The violet is a thing to prize, 
The wild pink on the craggy ledge, 
The waving, sword-lik e water’s-edge. 
And e’en the Robin-run-i’-the-hedge, 
Are precious in mine eyes.” 
* Rural Life in England. 
16 * 
