] 50 
THE POETRY OF FLOWERS, 
Langhorne also addresses this flower as the— 
Earliest bud that decks the garden, fairest of the 
fragrant race, 
First-born child of vernal Flora, seeking mild thy 
lowly place; 
Though no warm or murmuring zephyr fan thy leaves 
with balmy wing, 
Pleased we hail thee, spotless blossom, Herald of the 
infant Spring. 
****** 
White, as falls the fleecy shower, thy soft form in 
sweetness grows; 
Not more fair the valley’s treasure, not more sweet her 
lily blows. 
Drooping harbinger of Flora, simply are thy blossoms 
drest; 
Artless as the gentle virtues mansioned in the blame¬ 
less breast. 
We cannot resist adding these exquisite lines by the 
poet Wordsworth :— 
Lone flower, hemm’d in with snows, and white as 
they, 
But hardier far, once more I see thee bend 
Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend, 
Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day 
Storms, sallying from the mountain tops, waylay 
The rising sun, and on the plains descend; 
Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend 
Whose zeal outruns his promise ! Blue-eyed May 
Shall soon behold this border thickly set 
With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing 
