TUE POETRY OF FLOWERS. 
261 
TO THE PASSION-FLOWER. 
BY BERNARD BARTON. 
If Superstition’s baneful art 
First gave thy mystic name, 
Reason, I trust, would steel my heart 
Against its groundless claim ; 
But if, in fancy’s pensive hour, 
By grateful feelings stirr’d, 
Her fond imaginative power 
That name at first conferr’d— 
Though lightly truth her flights may prise, 
By wild vagary driven, 
For once their blameless exercise 
May surely be forgiven. 
We roam the seas—give new-found isle* 
Some king’s or conqueror’s name: 
We rear on earth triumphant piles 
As meeds of earthly fame :— 
We soar to heaven; and to outlive 
Our life’s contracted span, 
Unto the glorious stars we give 
The names of mortal man ; 
