FABLES OF FLORA. 41 
Chamomile is the emblem of energy in adver¬ 
sity. The following anecdote we copy from the 
‘ Garland of Flora.’ 
< During the war of the Revolution, a British 
officer, walking in one of our gardens, eagerly 
inquired the names of the plants therein cultivated. 
Coming to a bed of flourishing chamomile, he 
asked the lady, mistress of the grounds, who at¬ 
tended him with evident reluctance, what was 
the name of that low plant ? 
‘“The Rebel’s Flower,” replied she, with 
firmness. 
i« why so called? ” questioned the officer. 
‘ “ Because,” was the distinct and bold reply, 
“ it flourishes the more, the more it is trampled 
upon.” ’ 
Shakspeare notices this quality: ‘For though 
chamomile, the more it is trodden on the faster it 
grows; yet youth, the more it is wasted, the 
sooner it wears.’ 
FABLE XI. 
The Narcissus and the Chamomile. 
Around a tall Narcissus played 
The laughing light, the trembling shade; 
And sunbeams sleeping on its breast, 
Seemed brooding odors in their nest. 
