234 THE POETRY OF FLOWER8. 
HEART’S-EASE. 
BY MRS. SHERIDAN. 
In gardens oft a beauteous flower there grows, 
By vulgar eyes unnoticed and unseen; 
In sweet serenity it humbly blows, 
And rears its purple head to deck the green. 
This flower, as nature’s poet sweetly sings, 
Was once milk-white, and heart’s ease was it* 
name, 
Till wanton Cupid poised its roseate wings, 
A vestal’s sacred bosom to inflame. 
With treacherous aim the god his arrow drew, 
Which she with icy coldness did repel 
Rebounding thence with featoery speed it flew’, 
Till on this lonely flower, at last, it fell. 
Heart’s-ease no more the wandering shephert 
found; 
No more the nymphs its snowy form possess; 
Its white now changed to purple by love s wound, 
Heart’s-ease no more,—’tis love-in-idleness. 
