THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
91 
to degenerate. The roots should be taken up in the 
autumn and divided. 
“ Star of the mead, sweet daughter of the day, 
Whose opening flower invites the morning ray 
From thy moist cheek, and bosom’s chilly fold, 
To kiss the tears of eve, the dew-drops cold! 
Sweet daisy, flower of love ! when birds are paired, 
’Tis sweet to see thee, with thy bosom bared. 
Smiling in virgin innocence serene, 
Thy pearly crown above thy vest of green. 
The lark, with sparkling eye and rustling wing, 
Rejoins his widowed mate in early spring, 
And as he prunes his plumes of russet hue, 
Swears on thy maiden blossom to be true. 
* * * * 
Oft have I watched thy closing buds at eve, 
Which for the parting sunbeams seemed to grieve. 
And, when gay morning gilt the dew-bright plain. 
Seen them unclasp their folded leaves again. 
Nor he who sung, ‘ The daisy is so sweet,’ 
More dearly loved thy pearly form to greet, 
When on his scarf the knight the daisy bound, 
And dames at tourneys shone with daisies crowned, 
And fays forsook the purer fields above, 
To hail the daisy, flower of faithful love.” 
Leyden. 
The following beautiful tribute is by Montgomery : — 
THE DAISY. 
“ There is a flower, a little flower, 
With silver crest and golden eye, 
That welcomes every changing hour, 
And weathers every sky. 
The prouder beauties of the field 
In gay but quick succession shine; 
Race after race their honors yield; 
They flourish and decline. 
But this small flower, to nature dear, 
While moons and stars their courses run, 
Wreathes the whole circle of the year, 
Companion of the sun. 
