Drops from Flora's Cup. THE SNOWDROP. The SNOWDROP rears its virgin head amid the storms of Iebruary, and comes as the first harbinger of milder seasons, breathing the voice of consolation. Thus beautifully speaks Montgomery : Simple snowdrop! then in thee All that wreathe the locks of Spring, Exhale their incense at thy shrine, Their hues, their odors all are thine! Brings fair Futurity to light, And Fancy's magic makes the vision true. THE PRIMROSE. CARRINGTON. Sweet herald of the ever gentlo Spring, The Primrose, tenant of the glade, JOHN MAYNE. HEART'S-EASE. K2S. SHERIDAN. In gardens oft a beauteous flower there grows, In sweet security it humbly blows, And rears its purple head to deck the green. This flower, as Nature's poet sweetly sings, Was once milk-white, and heart's-ease' was its name, Till wanton Cupid poised its roseate wings, A vestal's sacred bosom to inflame. With treacherous arm the god his arrow drew, Heart's-ease no more the wandering shepherd found; No more the nymphs its snowy form possess; Its white now changed to purple by love's wound, Heart's-ease no more, - 't is love in idleness. And these are pansies that's for thought. SHAKSPEARE. THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. PERCIVAL. Intern lands they talk in flowers, And they tell in a garland their loves and cares; Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowers, On its leaves a mystic language bears. The rose is a sign of joy and love, Young, blushing love in its earliest dawn; And the mildness that suits the gentle dove, From the myrtle's snowy flower is drawn. Innocence shines in the lily's bell, Pure as the heart in its native heaven; Fame's bright star and glory's swell, By the glossy leaf of the bay are given. The silent, soft, and humble heart In the violet's hidden sweetness breathes; The cypress, that daily shades the grave, BRING FLOWERS. MRS. HEMANS. Bring flowers, young flowers, for the festal board, Their breath floats out on the southern gale, And the touch of the sunbeam hath waked the rose, To deck the hall where the bright wine flows. Bring flowers to strew in the conqueror's path Bring flowers to the captive's lonely cell, Bring flowers, fresh flowers, for the bride to wear! |