LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
THE SENSITIVE PLANT. 
A Sensitive Plant in a garden grew, 
And the young winds fed it with silver dew, 
And it opened its fan-like leaves to the light, 
And closed them beneath the kisses of Night. 
* * * * * * 
But none ever trembled and panted with bliss 
In the garden, the field, or the wilderness. 
Like doe in the noontide with love’s sweet want, 
As the companionless Sensitive Plant. 
The snowdrop, and then the violet, 
Arose from the ground with warm rain wet. 
And their breath was mixed w : th fresh odour, sent. 
From the turf, like the voice and the instrument. 
Then the pied wind-flowers and the tulip tall, 
And narcissi, the fairest among them all, 
Who gaze on their eyes in the stream’s recess. 
Till they die of their own dear loveliness. 
And the naiad-like lily of the vale. 
Whom youth makes so fair and passion so pale, 
That the light of its tremulous bells is seen 
Through their pavilions of tender green ; 
And the hyacinth purple, and white, and blue, 
Which flung from its bells a sweet peal anew 
Of music so delicate, soft and intense, 
It was felt like an odour, within the sense ! 
And the rose like a nymph to the bath addrest, 
Which unveiled the depth of her glowing breast. 
Till, fold after fold, to the fainting air 
The soul of her beauty and love lay bare ; 
