72 
floral emblems. 
BASHFUL MODESTY. 
Sensitive Plant.— Mimosa sensitiva. 
“ Whence does it happen that the plant, which well 
We name sensitive, should move and feel? 
When know her leaves to answer her command. 
And with quick horror fly the neighbouring hand V’ 
Prior’s Solomon. 
“ This little plant—how cautiously it meets 
Th’ approaching hand ! advance, and it retreats ! 
See how it flies from the suppos’d disgrace. 
And shrinks from contact of the rude embrace ! 
So wisdom folly should for ever shun ; 
So virtue from the touch of vice should run ; 
So female beauty should from flatt’ry fly. 
And spurn the incense of the gilded lie.’’ 
Modesty becomes the brave as well as the 
fair. Young says, 
“ Of boasting more than of a tomb afraid; 
A soldier should be modest as a maid.” 
