INTRODUCTION. 
3 
sume, in their eyes, new characters and 
beauties. Then they are strewn around 
them, the poetry of the earth. They be¬ 
come invested, by a multitude of associa¬ 
tions, with innumerable spells of power over 
the human heart; they are to us memorials 
of the joys, sorrows, hopes, and triumphs of 
our forefathers; they are, to all nations, the 
emblems of youth in its loveliness and pu¬ 
rity.” 
Flowers to the Fair! to you these flowers I bring, 
And strive to greet you with an earlier spring; 
Flowers sweet and gay, and delicate like you, 
Emblems of innocence and beauty too. 
With flowers the Graces bind their yellow hair, 
And flowery wreaths consenting lovers wear. 
Flowers, the sole luxury which Nature knew, 
In Eden’s pure and guiltless garden grew. 
MBS. BARBAULD. 
Let Fancy lead us, with her fair imagi¬ 
nings, and it shall be in pleasant paths, and 
through flowery ways; 
Go, cull the golden fruits of truth; 
Go, gather fancy’s brilliant flowers ; 
and for a brief space let us wander in an 
b 2 
