204 
THE LOVER’S OFFERING, 
the still night, slumbered, on a spring day, 
in the shade of a rose-bush. 
“And when he awoke, he said, with a 
smiling countenance, ‘Most beautiful of 
my children, I thank thee for thy refresh¬ 
ing odour and cooling shade. Could you 
now ask any favour, how willingly would 
I grant it.’ 
“ ‘Adorn me, then, with a new charm,’ 
said the spirit of the rose-bush in a beseech¬ 
ing tone. 
“ And the angel adorned the loveliest of 
flowers with simple moss. Sweetly it 
stood there in modest attire, the moss-rose, 
the most beautiful of its kind.” 
And the good man who wrote this adds, 
“ Lay aside the splendid ornament and 
the glittering jewel, and listen to the in¬ 
structions of maternal nature.” 
Whenever, therefore, you feel inclined 
to envy those who wear costly ornaments, 
—the ring of diamonds, or the necklace of 
pearls,—think of the moss-rose, and the 
lesson of wisdom which it teaches ; and 
remember that there is no fine gold equal 
