y 
44 THE POETRY OF FLOWERS 
concealed it. It has been aptly termed by her countrymen 
Perce-neige, from the quality just named; and is with equal j 
propriety called snowdrop by us. 
Though cold Fate has lowered 
And darkened my day; 
Though sorrow has showered 
Her tears o’er my way; 
One blossom has flowered, 
In Love’s sunny ray. 
Let Fate then bereave me, 
Let other friends flee, 
If my snowdrop she leave me, 
Pure, smiling, and free, 
No more can she grieve me — 
My hope is in thee! 
F. S. O. 
CONSOLATION OF SLEEP. 
POPPY. 
The poppy yields a narcotic juice in considerable quantity, 
which is frequently administered to procure sleep and relieve 
pain; on this account it has been made the symbol of consola¬ 
tion. The ancients, who regarded sleep as the great physi- I 
^ian, and the great consoler of human nature, crowned the god ! 
of sleep with a wreath of poppies. 
