GARDENS, WREATHS, &c. 
LEGENDS OF FLOWERS. 
LUCY HOOPER. 
The following lines refer to some of the old fanciful ideas attached to 
the opening of flowers. In the Romish church such events were care¬ 
fully noted down, and every flower blossoming on a Saint’s day was 
considered to bloom in honor of that saint. 
Oh gorgeous tales, in the days of old, 
Were linked with the opening flowers, 
As if in their fairy urns of gold, 
Beat human hearts like ours. 
The nuns in their cloister, sad and pale, 
As they watched soft buds expand, 
On their glowing petals traced a tale 
Or legend of holy Land. 
Brightly to them did thy snowy leaves, 
For the sainted Mary shine, 
As they twined for her forehead vestal wreaths 
Of thy white buds, Cardamine ! 
The Crocus shone when the fields were bare, 
With a gay rejoicing smile; 
