98 
POETRY OF FLOWERS. 
THE WHITE GARDEN LILY. 
The native habitat of this well-known and elegant plant 
had been long doubted, when it was discovered, in 1794, by 
Mr. Hawkins, growing wild in the classic vale of Tempe. 
It flowers early in summer, and has been cultivated in our 
gardens from time immemorial. Several of the Latin poets 
have added their testimony to the general admiration in 
which it has been held, and Pliny ranks it “ next in nobility 
to the ltose.” 
Oh ! why, thou Lily pale, 
Lovest thou to blossom in the wan moonlight, 
And shed thy rich perfume upon the night ? 
When all thy sisterhood, 
In silken cowl and hood, 
Screen their soft faces from the sickly gale ? 
I’air horned Cynthia woos thy modest flower, 
And with her beaming lips 
Thy kisses cold she sips, 
For thou art aye her only paramour; 
What time she nightly quits her starry bower, 
Tricked in celestial light 
And silver crescent bright, 
Oh ! ask thy vestal queen, 
If she will thee advise, 
Where in the blessed skies 
That maiden may be seen, 
