POETRY OF FLOWERS. 
S9 
Fair bending from her graceful stem 
Like queen with regal diadem: 
But though I viewed her with delight, 
She seemed too much to woo the sight,—• 
A fashionable belle—to shine 
In some more courtly wreath than mine. 
I turned and saw a tempting row 
Of flaunting Tulips full in blow—■ 
But left them with their gaudy dyes 
To Nature’s beaux—the butterflies. 
Bewildered ’mid a thousand hues, 
Still harder grew the task to choose; 
Here, delicate Carnations bent 
Their heads in lovely languishment,—• 
Much as a pensive Miss expresses, 
With neck declined, her soft distresses! 
The gay Jonquilles in foppish pride 
Stood by the Painted-Lady’s side, 
And Hollyhocks superbly tall 
Beside the Crown-Imperial. 
But still ’midst all this gorgeous glow 
Seemed less of sweetness than of show; 
While close beside in warning grew 
The allegoric Thyme and Rue. 
There, too, stood tjiat fair-weather flower 
Which, faithful still in sunshine hour, 
With fervent adoration turns 
Its breast where golden Phoebus bums— 
Base symbol (which I scorned to lift) 
Of friends that change as fortunes shift! 
