16 
THE LOVER’S OFFERING, 
marriage ceremony has been performed. 
Thus the old poet describes it:— 
“ Roses, their sharp spines being gone, 
Not royal in their smells alone, 
But in their hue ; 
Maiden-pinks of odours faint, 
Daises, smell-less, but most quaint, 
And sweet thyme true. 
“Primrose, first-born child of Ver, 
Merry spring-time’s harbinger, 
With her bells dim; 
Oxlips, in their cradles growing, 
Marygolds on death-beds blooming, 
Lark-heels trim. 
“All dear Nature’s children sweet, 
Lye ’fore bride and bridegroom’s feet, 
Blessing their sense! , 
* Not an angel of the air, 
Bird melodious, or bird fair, 
Be absent hence. . 
And more recently Mrs. Ilemans has 
written:— 
Bring flowers, fresh flowers, for the bride to wear! 
They were born to blush in her shining hair, 
She is leaving the home of her childhood’s mirth; 
She hath bid farewell to her father’s hearth; 
Her place is now by another’s side— 
Bring flowers for the locks of (he fair young 
bride 
