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SCARLET GERANIUM. 207 
Oh! emblem of that stedfast mind, 
Which, through the varying scenes of life 
By genuine piety refined, 
Holds on its way ’midst noise and strife. 
Though dark the impending tempest lour, 
The path of duty it espies, 
Calm ’midst the whirlwind and the shower, 
Thankful when brighter hours arise. 
Oh! could our darken’d minds discern 
In thy sweet form this lesson plain, 
Could we it practically learn, 
Herb Robert would not bloom in vain. 
At Rome, the leaf of the Geranium is em- 
ployed in a favourite game or amusement, which 
is called Far il Verde. 'The time chosen for it 
is the beginning of spring, when the trees and 
the fields put on their new liveries. A gentle- 
man and lady then agree upon a Verde, and 
determine the duration of the game and the 
forfeits to be paid. Both parties have now to 
take care that they are constantly provided, 
both at home and abroad, with a fresh Gera- 
nium leaf. On meeting one another, the ques- 
tion is, Avede il Verde ? succeeded by the chal- 
lenge, Fatte vadere il Verde, or Fatte il Verde. 
The person so addressed must immediately shew 





