18 THE LOVER’S OFFERING, 
Flowers form the language of lovers, 
especially in Eastern lands, and will by 
and by, in our land. Would not a lover 
rejoice to receive from his mistress even 
but a “bay leaf,” which speaks more elo¬ 
quently and expressively than words could 
speak, “ I change but in dying'!” Every 
lover will understand this. Therefore, 
youths and maidens, study the Language 
of Flowers, as symbolical of the Language 
of your Heart, and the Heart of one you 
love. It will not only give you pleasure, 
but purify your feelings by its soft and 
elevating influence. 
In Eastern lands they talk in flowers, 
And they tell in a garland their loves and cares; 
Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowers, 
On its leaves a mystic language bears. 
The Rose is a sign of Joy and Love,— 
Young blushing Love in its earliest dawn; 
And the mildness that suits the gentle dove, 
From the Myrtle’s snowy flower is drawn. 
Innocence shines in the Lily’s bell, 
Pure as the heart in its» native heaven ; 
Fame’s bright star and Glory’s swell, 
In the glossy leaf of the Bay are given. 
