LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
THE LIL Y AND THE ROSE . 
The nymph must lose her female friend, 
If more admired than she— 
But where will fierce contention end. 
If flowers can disagree. 
Within the garden's peaceful scene 
Appear’d two lovely foes, 
Aspiring to the rank of queen, 
The Lily and the Rose. 
The Rose soon redden’d into rage, 
And, swelling with disdain. 
Appeal’d to many a poet’s page 
To prove her right to reign. 
The Lily's height bespoke command, 
A fair imperial flower; 
She seem’d designed for Flora’s hand, 
The sceptre of her power. 
This civil bick’ring and debate 
The goddess chanced to hear. 
And flew to save, ere yet too late, 
The pride of the parterre. 
Yours is, she said, the nobler hue, 
And yours the statelier mien ; 
And, till a third surpasses you. 
Let each be deemed a queen. 
Thus, soothed and reconciled, each seeks 
The fairest British fair: 
The seat of empire is her cheeks, 
They reign united there. 
Cowpek. 
THE WALL-FLOWER. 
Why this flower is now called so, 
List, sweet maids, and you shall know 
Understand this firstling was 
Once a brisk and bonny lass, 
Kept as close as Danae was, 
Who a sprightly springald loved ; 
And to have it fully proved, 
Up she got upon a wall, 
’Tempting down to slide withal; 
But the silken twist untied. 
So she fell, and, bruised, she died 
Jove, in pity of the deed, 
And her loving, luckless speed. 
Turn’d her to this plant we call 
Now “the flower of the wall.’’ 
Herrick. 
THE RRLMROSE 
Ask me why I send you here, 
This firstling of the infant year ; 
Ask me why I send to you 
This Primrose all bepearled with dew; 
I straight will whisper in your ears, 
The sweets of love are washed with tears. 
Ask me why this flower doth show 
So yellow, green, and sickly too ; 
Ask me why the stalk is weak 
And bending, yet it doth not break ; 
I must tell you, these discover 
What doubts and fears are in a lover. 
Cakew. 
73 
