THE POETRY OF FLOWERS. 
233 
THF VIOLET. 
BY MISS L. E. LANDON. 
Why better than the lady rose 
Love I this little flower ? 
Because its fragrant leaves are those 
I loved in childhood’s hour. 
Though many a flower may win my praiae, 
The violet has my love ; , 
I did not pass my childish days 
In garden or in grove. 
My garden was the window-seat, 
Upon whose edge was set 
A little vase—the fair, the sweet— 
It was the violet. 
It was my pleasure and my pride ;— 
How I did watch its growth . 
For health and bloom what plans I tried 
And often injured both! 
I placed it in the summer shower, 
I placed it in the sun ; 
And ever at the evening hour, 
My work seem’d half undone. 
