112 THE POETRY OF FLOWERS 
I PARTAKE YOUR SENTIMENTS. 
GARDEN-DAISY. 
Within the garden’s cultured round, 
It shares the sweet carnation’s bed. 
J. Montgomery. 
The daisy, like many other plants, undergoes a considerable 
change, when transplanted from its native field to the cultiva¬ 
ted parterre. To preserve them, however, in their altered state, 
it seems necessary to divide the roots and transplant them 
every year. They thrive best in a moist loamy soil, without 
any admixture of manure; and continue in flower for a longer 
period if shaded from the heat of the mid-day sun. 
The garden daisy has been adopted to express reciprocity of 
feeling, in reference to an ancient custom in the days of chivalry. 
When the mistress of a knight permitted him to engrave this 
flower on his scarf, it was understood as a public avowal that 
she partook of his sentiments. Leyden has favoured us with 
some beautiful lines on the daisy, in which he alludes to this 
custom: — 
Star of the mead ! sweet daughter of the day, 
Whose opening flower invites .the morning ray, 
From thy moist cheek, and bosom’s chilly fold, 
To kiss the tears of eve the dewdrops cold ! 
Sweet daisy, flower of love ! when birds are paired, 
’Tis sweet to see thee, with thy bosom bared, 
Smiling, in virgin innocence, serene, 
Thy pearly crown above thy vest of green. 
The lark, with sparkling eye, and rustling wing, 
Rejoins his widowed mate in early spring, 
And as she prunes his plumes of russet hue, 
Swears, on thy maiden-blossom, to be true. 
Oft have I watched thy closing buds at eve, 
Which for the parting sunbeams seemed to grieve, 
And, when gay morning gilt the dew-bright plain, 
Seen them unclasp their folded leaves again. 
