PREFACE. 
“ I love God, I love little children, 1 
love the flowers,” said a Persian, in vin« 
dication of his character as a true poet. 
Very few, in any time, possessing the 
“ vision and the faculty divine,” have failed 
to give such evidence of inspiration. In 
cottage and in palace, in every country, 
and in every age, flowers have been teach¬ 
ers and companions of the gentle and kind 
hearted; the truest language of love, the 
liveliest symbols of all holy thoughts and 
feelings. 
This little volume contains some of 
the most beautiful poems which, from 
old Chaucer’s time, has been written in 
our language about flowers. It is itself a 
“garden of poesies,” which will not be 
unwelcome to any who love either sorg 
or nature. 
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