FLORAL EMBLEMS. 
169 
HOPE. 
Hawthorn . —Cr a tag us. 
“ Now let me sit beneath the whitening thorn.’' 
“ And hope, that decks the peasant’s bower. 
Shines like the rainbow through the shower:” 
Cunningham. 
In floral language the hawthorn blossoms 
are made the happy emblem of Hope, from 
the custom of the Athenian girls crowning 
themselves with these flowers at weddings. 
The altar of Hymen was also lighted with 
torches ot this tree, which from its gaseous 
nature, produces a bright flame in its green 
state. 
“ Hope, like the glimmering taper’s light, 
Illumes and cheers the way. 
And still, as darker grows the night. 
Emits a brighter ray.” 
Goldsmith . 
