Part 8
“But let us be thankful and humble too; Not proud and vain of a gaudy hue, Ever remembering, though meanly drest, That _usefulness_ is of all gifts the best.”
_Louisa A. Twamley._
* * * * *
Will you drink of this fountain, and sorrow forget? Has the past been so blest that you hesitate yet? Can love, when ’tis slighted, still cherish a token, Or hearts still forgive, that unkindness has broken?
_Percival._
* * * * *
From a Poppy I have taken Mortal’s balm and mortal’s bane; Juice that, creeping through the heart, Deadens every sense of smart; Doomed to heal or doomed to kill, Fraught with good or fraught with ill.
_Mrs. Robinson._
ACANTHUS.... _The Arts_.
The Acanthus blooms in greatest perfection by the great rivers of hot climates. Among the ancients, it was a favourite, and they adorned their furniture, vases, and costly dresses, with its elegant leaves. When any obstacle obstructs the growth of the Acanthus, it puts forth fresh force and grows with additional vigour. Thus genius is strengthened by the difficulties which it cannot overcome. Callimachus, an ancient architect, derived the idea of the Corinthian capital, from seeing the leaves of an Acanthus surrounding a basket which had been set upon the ground, and impeded the regular growth of the plant.
* * * * *
Tired at first sight with what the muse imparts, In fearless youth we tempt the heights of arts, While from the bounded level of our mind Short views we take, nor see the length behind; But, more advanced, behold with strange surprise New distant scenes of endless science rise.
_Pope._
* * * * *
For though I must confess an artist can Contrive things better than another man, Yet when the task is done, he finds his pains Sought but to fill his belly with his brains. Is this the guerdon due to liberal arts, To admire the head and then to starve the parts? Timely prevention though discreetly used Before the fruits of knowledge were abused. When learning has incurred a fearful damp, To save our oil, ’tis good to quench the lamp.
_Lady Alimony._
* * * * *
She had read Her father’s well-filled library with profit, And could talk charmingly. Then she would sing, And play too, passably, and dance with spirit. She sketched from nature well, and studied flowers, Which was enough alone to love her for. Yet she was knowing in all needlework, And shone in dairy and in kitchen too, As in the parlour.
_James N. Barker._
* * * * *
Art became the shadow Of the dear star-light of thy haunting eyes! They called me vain, some mad--I heeded not, But still toiled on, hoped on, for it was surest, If not to win, to feel more worthy thee.
_Bulwer._
VALERIAN.... _An accommodating Disposition_.
The Valerian was called by some of the old English writers the Setewale. It is generally found growing by ruined walls or buildings, and from the facility with which it propagates in these situations, it is made the emblem of an accommodating disposition. The root of the Valerian is considered a valuable remedy for many of those ailments which spring from luxurious living. It exerts a peculiar influence on the nervous system, revives the spirits, and strengthens the sight. The Valerian is too large and scrambling a plant to hold a place in the parterre of choice flowers.
* * * * *
How much more happy is that sweet estate, That neither creeps too low nor soars too high; Which yields no matter for contempt or hate, Which others not disdain, nor yet envy, Which neither does nor takes an injury, But living to itself in sweet content, Is neither abject, nor yet insolent.
_1629. Herbert._
* * * * *
My country, sir, is not a single spot Of such a mould, or fixed to such a clime.
_Miller._
MARVEL OF PERU.... _Timidity_.
The Marvel is a native of Peru, and receives its name from the wonderful diversity of colours in flowers of the same root;
Changing from the splendid rose To the pale violet’s dejected hue.
_Akenside._
This plant retains its beauty for a great length of time, being frequently covered with blossoms from the beginning of July to the end of October. It is chosen as the emblem of timidity, because the flowers are too timid to expand during the day, and open and give out their fragrance at night.
* * * * *
Sure, ’twas his modesty. He might have thriven Much better possibly, had his ambition Been greater much. They ofttimes take more pains Who look for pins, than those who find out stars.
_John Fountain._
* * * * *
I pity bashful men, who feel the pain Of fancied scorn and undeserved disdain, And bear the marks upon a blushing face Of needless shame and self-imposed disgrace.
_Cowper._
* * * * *
“Call back your odours, lonely flowers, From the night-wind call them back; And fold your leaves till the laughing hours Come forth in the sunbeam’s track. The lark lies couched in her grassy nest, And the honey-bee is gone; And all bright things are away to rest-- Why watch ye here alone?” Nay, let our shadowy beauty bloom, When the stars give quiet light; And let us offer our faint perfume On the silent shrine of night. Call it not wasted the scent we lend To the breeze when no step is nigh; Oh! thus for ever the earth should send Her grateful breath on high! And love us as emblems, night’s dewy flowers, Of hopes unto sorrows given, That spring through the gloom of the darkest hours, Looking alone to Heaven.
_Mrs. Hemans._
* * * * *
That modest grace subdued my soul, That chastity of look which seems to hang A veil of purest light o’er all her beauties, And by forbidding most inflames desire.
_Young._
* * * * *
He saw her charming, but he saw not half The charms her downcast modesty concealed.
_Thomson._
STOCK.... _Lasting Beauty_.
The Stock has been made the emblem of lasting beauty; because, though it is less graceful than the rose, and less majestic than the lily, its splendour is more durable, and its fragrance of longer continuance. Few flowering plants have been so much and so rapidly improved by cultivation as the Stock. Within the last two centuries, its nature has been almost entirely changed by the florist; and it is now a shrub whose branches are covered with blossoms little inferior in dimensions to the rose. Stocks are produced of various colours, but the bright red or carmine must ever remain the favourite variety. The principal branches of this fragrant family are the Ten-week Stock, so named from flowering about ten weeks after it is sown; and the Brompton, which does not bloom till about twelve months after sowing, and was first cultivated in the neighbourhood of Brompton, England.
* * * * *
Without the smile from partial beauty won, Oh, what were man!--a world without a sun!
_Campbell._
* * * * *
Beauty has gone; but yet her mind is still As beautiful as ever; still the play Of light around her lips has every charm Of childhood in its freshness.
_Percival._
* * * * *
The lily may die on thy cheek, With freshness no longer adorning; The rose that envelopes its whiteness may seek To take back her mantle of morning; Yet still will Love’s tenderness beam from thine eye, And ask for that homage no heart can deny.
_Dawes._
* * * * *
The glory of the human form Is but a perishing thing, and Love will droop When its brief grace hath faded. But the mind Perisheth not, and when the outward charm Hath had its brief existence, it awakes, And is the lovelier that it slept so long.
_Willis._
Beauty lies As naturally upon his cheek as bloom Upon a peach. Like morning vapour, flies Before his smile my mind’s infrequent gloom. We tremble when we think that many a storm May beat upon him in the time to come,-- That his now beautiful and fragile form May bear a burden sore and wearisome. Yet, so the stain of guiltiness and shame Be never placed upon his soul and name,-- So he preserve his virtue though he die,-- And to his GOD, his race, his country prove A faithful man, whom praise nor gold can buy, Nor threats of vile, designing men can move,-- We ask no more.
_MacKellar._
SCARLET GERANIUM.... _Stupidity_.
There are many varieties of the Geranium, distinguished by the shape and hue of the flowers and leaves, and the difference in their fragrance. The Scarlet Geranium is a very beautiful flower, but its scent is disagreeable. The following anecdote will give the reason of its being chosen as the emblem of stupidity. Madame de Staël was always angry when any of her acquaintance attempted to introduce a stupid person into her company. One day, one of her friends ventured to bring to her a young Swiss officer of most prepossessing exterior. The lady, pleased with his appearance, was very lively, and said a thousand flattering things to the new-comer, who seemed at first to be struck mute by surprise and admiration. When, however, he had listened to her for above an hour without opening his lips, she began to suspect the cause of his silence, and put to him such direct questions that he could not help answering. His answers were extremely silly! Madame de Staël, vexed at having thrown away her time and her wit, turned to her friend and said: “Indeed, sir, you are like my gardener, who thought to do me a pleasure by bringing me this morning a pot of Geranium: but I can tell you that I made him take back the flower, desiring him not to let me see it any more.” “And why so?” asked the young man in astonishment. “It was, since you wish to know, because the Geranium is a beautiful scarlet flower; while you look at it, it pleases the eye; but when you press it ever so slightly, it gives out a disagreeable smell.” So saying, Madame de Staël rose and went out of the room, leaving the young fool abashed and in confusion.
* * * * *
This fellow is wise enough to play the fool; And to do that well, craves a kind of wit.
_Shakspeare._
* * * * *
Your blunderer is as sturdy as a rock, The creature is so sure to kick and bite, A muleteer’s the man to set him right. First appetite enlists him truth’s sworn foe, Then obstinate self-will confirms him so. Tell him he wanders; that his error leads To fatal ill; that though the path he treads Be flowery, and he see no cause of fear, Death and the pains of hell attend him there. In vain the slave of arrogance and pride, He has no hearing on the prudent side. His still refuted quirks he still repeats; New raised objections with new quibbles meets; Till sinking in the quicksand he defends, He dies disputing, and the contest ends.
_Cowper._
* * * * *
A set o’ dull conceited hashes, Confuse their brains in college classes! They gang in stirks, and come out asses, Plain truth to speak; An’ syne they think to climb Parnassus By dint o’ Greek. Gie me a spark o’ Nature’s fire, That’s a’ the learning I desire; Then tho’ I drudge thro’ dub an’ mire At pleugh or cart, My muse, tho’ hamely in attire, May touch the heart.
_Burns._
* * * * *
The man who looks around him as he walks Sees objects often wonderful and new; And he who thinks while his companion talks In time may grow the wiser of the two. An open eye--a quick, attentive ear Will lead the mind into the ways of knowledge; For all the world’s a universal college, And every one may be a learner here. Experience is the teacher: dear, indeed, Her charges are to thoughtless folks and fools; But those who follow carefully her rules The various tongues of nature learn to read. Who seldom ploughs his mind shall reap but little; Weeds quickly overspread the fallow soil; The toiler may be wearied by his toil, But it shall yield sufficiency of victual, Enough for his own use, and much to spare. To him who hath, abundance shall be given; From him who squanders wastefully his share, All that he has shall righteously be riven: The world shall make a proverb of his name, And he shall fill a sepulchre of shame.
_MacKellar._
OAK GERANIUM.... _Friendship_.
The Oak Geranium does not present so beautiful an appearance as the scarlet variety; but the pale blue colour of the flower, and the length of time which it continues in bloom, endear it to us as the emblem of true friendship.
* * * * *
What though on Love’s altar the flame that is glowing Is brighter?--yet Friendship’s is steadier far! One wavers and turns with each breeze that is blowing, And is but a meteor,--the other’s a star! In youth Love’s light Burns warm and bright, But dies ere the winter of age be past,-- While Friendship’s flame Burns ever the same, And glows but the brighter, the nearer its last!
_Anon._
* * * * *
Thanks to my stars, I have not ranged about The wilds of life, ere I could find a friend: Nature first pointed out my brother to me, And early taught me, by her sacred force, To love thy person, ere I knew thy merit, Till what was instinct grew up into friendship. Ours has severest virtue for its basis, And such a friendship ends not but with life.
_Addison._
* * * * *
O! Friendship! in thy constant ray, My heart is cheered and cannot sink, Though gloom and storm around me play And I am pressed to death’s cold brink!
_Peerbold._
* * * * *
The friend Who smiles when smoothing down the lonely couch, And does kind deeds, which any one can do Who has a feeling spirit,--such a friend Heals with a searching balsam.
_Percival._
* * * * *
Delightful is an evening’s cheerful chat With pleasant friends, especially to one Who has been long away. The minutes run With speed that all the talkers marvel at. So much to talk about--so much to tell-- So many sleeping memories to awaken-- The various fates that absent friends befell-- Whom time has spared, and whom the grave has taken; The tear to shed for those who’ve passed away-- The sigh to breathe for those who’ve gone astray-- Our times of darkness, and our days of light-- Our purposes and plans for coming years-- Our heavenly hopes, our earthly human fears-- And lo! ’tis time to say, “Good-night, dear friends, good-night!”
_MacKellar._
TUBEROSE.... _Dangerous Love_.
The superb Tuberose is a native of the East Indies and South America, and was introduced into Europe in 1632. It has since spread all over the world. The flower is of a white colour, sometimes tinged with a blush of pink. Its perfume is delicious and powerful; but if you would enjoy it without danger, keep at some distance from the plant. If you come with the object of your affection to inhale its perfume by moonlight, when the nightingale is pouring forth its ravishing melody, these odours will add an inexpressible charm to your enjoyment; but, if, regardless of the precepts of moderation, you approach too near, this divine flower will then be but an enchantress who will pour a dangerous poison into your bosom. Thus the love which comes from above purifies and exalts; but that which springs from earth debases and proves the bane of imprudent youth.
* * * * *
Yes, Love is but a dangerous guest For hearts as young as thine, Where youth’s unshadowed joys should rest, Life’s spring-time fancies shine. Then, sweetest, leave the wildering dream, Till Time has nerved thy heart To brook the fitful cloud and gleam, Which must in love have part.
_Mrs. Osgood._
* * * * *
The Tuberose, with her silvery light, That in the gardens of Malay Is called the mistress of the night, So like a bride, scented and bright, She comes out when the sun’s away.
_Moore._
* * * * *
If all the world and love were young, And truth in every shepherd’s tongue, These pleasures might my passions move, To live with thee and be thy love. So fading flowers in every field, To winter floods their treasures yield; A honeyed tongue, a heart of gall, Is fancy’s spring, but sorrow’s fall.
_Sir Walter Raleigh._
* * * * *
Instability and change are written On us and all our works. The loveliest things, When full of promise, oftentimes are smitten; And sweetest roses foster hidden stings. The world, if loved too well, doth ever pall, And the poor fool who set his heart thereon Is doomed to see his hope in ruins fall, Its frail foundation undermined and gone.
_MacKellar._
DAHLIA.... _Elegance and Dignity_.
The Dahlia is a native of South America, but is now extensively cultivated in Europe and North America. The shrub grows to a considerable height, and the flowers are large and beautiful. The most common colours are crimson and purple. No more appropriate emblem of elegance and dignity of carriage could have been selected. These qualities strike us at the first view of the Dahlia.
* * * * *
I loved thee for thy high-born grace, Thy deep and lustrous eye-- For the sweet meaning of thy brow, And for thy bearing high. I loved thee for thy stainless truth, Thy thirst for higher things, For all that to our common lot A better temper brings. And are they not all thine--still thine? Is not thy heart as true? Holds not thy step its noble grace? Thy cheek its dainty hue? And have I not an ear to hear? And a cloudless eye to see-- And a thirst for beautiful human thought, That first was stirred by thee?
_Willis._
* * * * *
Why, a stranger--when he sees her, In the street even smileth stilly, Just as you would at a lily.
_Miss Barrett._
* * * * *
Her grace of motion and of look, the smooth And swimming majesty of step and tread, The symmetry of form and feature, set The soul afloat, even like delicious airs Of flute and harp.
_Milman._
* * * * *
Her glossy hair was clustered o’er a brow Bright with intelligence, and fair and smooth; Her eyebrow’s shape was like the aërial bow, Her cheek all purple with the beam of youth, Mounting, at times, to a transparent glow, As if her veins ran lightning.
_Byron._
* * * * *
Do but look on her eyes! they do light All that love’s world compriseth; Do but look on her hair! it is bright As love’s star, when it riseth! Do but mark,--her forehead’s smoother Than words that soothe her! And from her arched brows such a grace Sheds itself through the face, As alone there triumphs to the life, All the gain, all the good, of the element’s strife.
_Jonson._
CAMELLIA JAPONICA.... _Modest Merit_.
The Camellia Japonica is a native of China and Japan. It is a large, evergreen tree. The flowers are large, of the form of a rose of variegated hues--the red prevailing--and without fragrance. It is made the emblem of modest worth, because, as Roscoe observes, “it boasts no fragrance, and conceals no thorn.”
* * * * *
Let other bards of angels sing, Bright suns without a spot; But thou art no such perfect thing, Rejoice that thou art not. True beauty dwells in deep retreats, Whose veil is unremoved; Till heart with heart in concord beats, And the lover is beloved.
_Wordsworth._
* * * * *
Oh, that estates, degrees, and offices, Were not derived corruptly! and that dear honour Were purchased by the merit of the wearer! How many then should cover, that stand bare? How many be commanded, that command? How much low peasantry would then be gleaned From the true seed of honour? and how much honour Picked from the chaff and ruin of the times, To be new varnished?
_Shakspeare._
* * * * *
There’s a proud modesty in merit! Averse from asking, and resolved to pay Ten times the gift it asks.
_Dryden._
* * * * *
Oh, your desert speaks loud; and I should wrong it, To lock it in the wards of covert bosom; When it deserves with characters of brass A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of time, And razure of oblivion.
_Shakspeare._
* * * * *
Thine is a mind of maiden artlessness! Unstained, undarkened, by the dross of earth; A soul, that through thine eyes, bright beams express Thy nature, e’en as noble as thy birth; Whose every glance reflects the gem enshrined, Worthy a form so fair; the diamond of the mind.
_Anon._
* * * * *
His resting-place is noted by a stone Of whitest marble: truthful words are those Inscribed thereon. The scene of his repose Befits his life: ’twas beautiful and calm. In meekness and in love he went his way, Uprightly walking--filling up the day With useful deeds. He often poured the balm Of healing into wounded breasts; nor sought The praise of men in doing good.
_MacKellar._
THORN-APPLE.... _Deceitful Charms_.
The flowers of the Thorn-Apple droop while the sun shines beneath their dull-looking foliage, but on the approach of night, they revive, display their charms, and unfold their prodigious bells, which nature has coloured with purple, lined with ivory; and to which she has given an odour that attracts and intoxicates, but is so dangerous as to stupify those who inhale it even in the open air. It is a dangerous plant to be allowed to grow where children go, as the beauty of its flowers and fruit is liable to tempt them to their destruction; since it possesses so poisonous a quality as to produce paralysis, and even madness, in those who have eaten it. Its leaves have been recommended for coughs and asthma. The charms of the Thorn-Apple flower are beautiful, but deadly; like those of the corrupt and treacherous, to be found in every society.
* * * * *
But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or like the snow-falls in the river, A moment white--then melts for ever; Or like the borealis race, That flit ere you can point their place; Or like the rainbow’s lovely form Envanishing amid the storm.
_Burns._
* * * * *
O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face! Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave?
_Shakspeare._
* * * * *
Get thee glass eyes; And like a scurvy politician, seem To see the things thou dost not.
_Shakspeare._