106 THE POETRY OF FLOWERS 
HEARTLESS BEAUTY, 
DAHLIA. 
The gorgeous flowers of the dahlia allure only to disappoint 
us, for they are without fragrance. 
The light, the grace, the brilliant bloom, 
Of Beauty, unendowed with heart, 
Resemble flowers without perfume, 
And just as little joy impart. 
F. s. o. 
HOPE. 
HAWTHORN. 
Now hawthorns blossom, now the daisies spring. 
Pope. 
The hawthorn has been made the emblem of hope, because the 
young and beautiful Athenian maids brought its branches, cov¬ 
ered with flowers, to decorate their companions on their nup¬ 
tial day, while they bare larger boughs of it to the altar. The 
altar of Hymen was lighted by torches made from the wood of 
this tree; and it also formed the flambeaux which illuminated 
the nuptial chamber. We are told that the Troglodytes in the 
simplicity of their minds, tied hawthorn branches to the dead 
bodies of their parents and friends; and at the interment of the 
corpse they strewed its branches upon the body, and afterward 
covered it with stones, laughing through the whole of the 
