THE FLORAL GIFT. 
21 
BUTTERCUP. 
Ranunculus Acris —Class 13, Order 6. 
Brilliant golden flowers, found in wet meadows ; common 
both in America and Europe, 
CHILDISHNESS. 
A fair r form is frolicking 
In benuty round me now, 
With cheek of sunbright loveliness 
And fair and beaming brow. 
He sporteth now around my feet, 
In gambols free and wild— 
A thing of youth and gentleness, 
A gladsome, winsome, child 1 
He spyeth now a butterfly, 
And boundeth o’er the green— 
The daisies and the buttercups 
He heedeth not, I ween— 
His little hands he clappeth, 
By the winged sprite beguiled, 
And laugheth in his gladsomeness, 
The happy, thoughtless child. 
Duganne. 
* -55 
