FUNERAL FLOWERS. 155 
There shrieks the night-bird from the blasted yew, 
W hich doth exclude the gladdening light of Heaven. ' 
By all unhallowed things that spot is banned ; 
The path which erst lay near it is o’ergrown;— 
No one could pass that fearful grave at night! j 
“ And Ella lies where yonder blushing rose 
And jessamine enclasp that simple tomb;—• I 
That spot the setting sun delights to kiss; ! 
And there the moonbeams shed their softest smile;. i 
The daisy and the cowslip shine around; I 
And on each May-day morn, upon that stone | 
Is seen » beauteous wreath of fairest flowers.”—S. T. L | 
I 
In Switzerland, also, as well as in Wales, and : 
some other parts of Britain, flowers are planted 
by the hand of affection on the graves of de¬ 
parted relatives. It is a touching and beautiful J 
custom, and in both the above-named countries, j 
even the peasant may often be seen bending ! 
over the hallowed turf, and as he inserts into | 
the sod some new plant or flower, he performs | 
the act, which testifies of his affectionate re¬ 
membrance, with a feeling and a delicacy 
which do honour to his unsophisticated heart. 
In Glamorganshire, it is yet a custom to strew 
the bed whereon a corpse rests, with fragrant ' 
