64 
DROPS FROM FLORA’S CUP. 
THE PANSY. 
This flower is known by many names; before Cupid aimed the dart, 
which brought it low, it was called heart’s-easc. When it lay ‘ purple 
with love’s wounds,’ its pure whiteness was changed to purple, and 
it became love-in-idleness. 
Tri-colored violet, lady’s delight, forget-me-not, and many other names 
are attached to this beautiful little flower. 
But it appears that no name fell with sweeter sound on the poet’s ear, 
than pansy ; for to it they have bowed in homage. Pansy from the 
French, pensSe, (thought,) hence the sentiment— think of me. 
The author of the Garland of Flora, says : — * Perhaps no flower (not 
excepting the queenly rose) claims to be so universal a favorite as the 
viola tricolor ; none certainly has been honored with so rich a variety 
of names, at once expressive of grace, delicacy, and tenderness.* 
BARTON. 
— 4 Appealing 
To hearts that own our nature’s common lot; 
Though styled by sportive fancy’s better feeling, 
A * thought,’ the'hcart’s-ease,’ or * forget-me-not 1 
An anonymous writer, in his sad reminiscences, sings thus of the 
heart’s-ease: — 
I used to love thee, simple flower, 
To love thee dearly when a boy; 
For thou did ’st seem in childhood’s hour 
The smiling type of childhood’s joy. % 
But now thou only worlc ’st my grief, 
By waking thoughts of pleasures fled; 
Give me — give me the withered leaf 
That falls on Autumn’s bosom dead. 
