124 THE POETRY OF FLOWERS 
to it in floral language. We presume that it has been made 
the emblem of inconstancy on account of the transient duration 
of its flowers. It opens between six and seven o’clock in the 
evening. 
When once the sun sinks in the west, 
And dewdrops pearl the Evening’s breast; 
Almost as pale as moonbeams are, 
Or its companionable star, 
The evening primrose opes anew 
Its delicate blossoms to the dew; 
And, hermit-like, shunning the light, 
Wastes its fair bloom upon the Night, 
Who, blindfold to its fond caresses, 
Knows not the beauty he possesses. 
Thus it blooms on while Night is by ; 
When Day looks out with open eye, 
’Bashed at the gaze it cannot shun, 
It faints, and withers, and is gone. 
Clare’s Rural Muse. 
INDIFFERENCE. 
CANDY-TUFT. 
The iberis continues in blossom nearly the whole, year, ever 
presenting to us its bright green foliage, and its scentless blos¬ 
soms white as snow. The first specimen of this plant was 
brought from Candia, whence its English name candy-tuft. 
The plant is well adapted to enliven the sombre appearance of 
