FLORAL EMBLEMS. 
215 
MODESTY. 
Sweet Violet. — Viola odorata. 
“ Franche d’ambition, je me cache sous l’herbe, 
Modeste en ma couleur, modeste en mon sejour; 
Mais si sur votre front je puis me voir un jour. 
La plus humble des fleurs sera la plus superbe.” 
Desmartes. 
This unobtrusive flower is no less honoured 
by its emblem than the rose or the myrtle, 
to which it is so essential to complete the de¬ 
lights they can inspire. Its motto is “II 
faut me chercher ” Cunningham makes the 
violet say, 
“ Modest though the maids declare me, 
May, in her fantastic train, 
When Pastora deigns to wear me. 
Has no flow’ret half so vain.” 
The poets of the sixteenth century appear 
