186 
THE POETRY OF FLOWERS 
them are of very exalted stature, taking rank with the highest 
tenants of the wood.” In the southern states, whole groves of 
the magnificent magnolia grandiflora are found scenting the air 
for miles around, with their rich and delicious fragrance. The 
large white leaf of the flower often serves the romantic southern 
youth for paper. He pricks upon it with a needle or pin the 
passionate thoughts of his heart, and commits his perfumed 
billetdoux to the care of zephyr to be wafted to the feet of his 
ladye-love. 
THE SOUTHERNER TO A YANKEE. 
What! write a burning billetdoux 
On common colored paper, 
And melt the wax to seal it, too, 
Within a tallow taper! 
Not thus we woo our Georgian girls, 
They’d scorn so poor a letter; 
They’d twist with it their silken curls, 
And bid us write a better. 
We seek a sweeter, purer leaf, 
To bear our passion to them; 
Our vows are beautiful as brief; — 
I ’ll tell you how we woo them. 
Deep in our southern forest-glooms, 
Our tempests proudly braving, 
The pure magnolia richly blooms, 
Its peerless blossoms waving. 
