OLD SAXON FLOWERS. 
45 
The Water-lily sleeping on the lake mirrored back 
the purity in which he now dwelt; all around beside 
her might move, but Constancy had anchored her 
true roots within the heart,— an hundred contend¬ 
ing waves might watch over the spotless snow of her 
blossoms, but she still rose triumphant, whiter and 
purer from the contest; for the washing of every 
ripple but laid bare some hidden virtue, and from 
every assault she won back some lost affection. 
And when Love and Constancy set out to wander 
hand in hand through the world, with Humility 
and Affectionate Remembrance for their attendants, 
within was found that Purity of Heart which ever 
ensureth devoted attachment; it was then that they 
made a happy home wherever they alighted, and 
carried with them a sweet sunshine, which threw 
its brightness around the shadiest places. In old 
primeval forests they sometimes dwelt, far away 
from the fever and the fret of busy cities,—they 
found a shelter beneath the yellow Broom, and a 
couch amid the azure Bells of flowers. Where 
huge sandy deserts stretched for miles away they 
pitched their tent, and in the deep caverns of 
majestic mountains Love and Constancy took up 
their abode. They tended their cattle together 
on vast plains, and followed Summer over many 
a high hill and outstretched valley; sojourning 
together in rude huts, whose branched walls and 
