FABLES OF FLORA. 
62 
In tlie fourteenth century, in the province of 
Languedoc, according to Sismondi, a golden violet 
was awarded as a prize to the author of the best 
poem in the Provencal language. 
Iti the festival of the Feralia, celebrated by the 
Romans, in honor of their dead, violets were 
strewed as offerings. 
'Waller Scott gives us his authority in favor of 
our beloved flower. 
‘ The Violet, in her greenwood bower, • 
Where birchen boughs with hazels miDgle; 
May boast itself the fairest flower 
In glen, or copse, or forest dingle.’ 
The Pansy, still more than the Violet, is the 
favorite of the poets. It bears a great variety 
of pretty names, such as Heart’s Ease, Lady’s 
Delight, Butterfly Violet, (Sec. j but none prettier 
than the French Pensie, ( a thought ,) from which 
the English Pansy is derived. 
Everybody recollects Ophelia’s touching speech 
— * There’s Rosemary, that’s for remembrance; 
P ra y you love remember: and there’s Pansies, 
that "s for thoughts .’ 
Spenser speaks of ‘ the pretty pawnee,’ and 
Milton of 1 the pansy streaked with jet.’ 
.The nuptial couch of Eden was formed of 
‘Pansies, and violets, and asphodel, 
And hyacinths, earth’s freshest, softest lap. 
I 
