170 flora’s dial. 
December 21. 
JAPONICA. — Excellence. 
Give place, ye lovers here before, 
That spend your boasts and brags in vain, 
My lady’s beauty passeth more 
The best of yours, I dare well sayen, 
Than doth the sonne the candle light, — 
Or brightest day the darkest night. 
Surrey. 1530. 
December 22. 
PETUNIA. —Not as proud as you are pretty. 
Thou art not proud, though Beauty’s gifts, 
Her fairest, richest gifts are thine ; 
And on thy brow, — the throne of thought, — 
Like gleams of light, thy tresses shine. 
Still unassuming are thy ways, 
Still kindly words hast thou for all; 
The lowly bless thy sunny smile, — 
The same in cottage as in hall. 
D H. Jaques. 
