FLORAL EMBLEMS. 
81 
BOASTER. 
Hydrangea. — Hydrangea Hortensis. 
<e No more delays, vain boaster ! but begin; 
I prophesy beforehand I shall win : 
I’ll teach you how to brag another time.” 
Dryden. 
This Chinese Guelder rose is presented as 
the emblem of a boaster, because its magni¬ 
ficent flowers are never succeeded by fruit, 
thus resembling’ the vaunting words of a brag¬ 
gadocio, which are not followed by suitable 
results. 
Who knows himself a braggart. 
Let him fear this ; for it will come to pass. 
That every braggart shall be found an ass.” 
Shakspeare. 
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