PR 3991 A6L8 ■ THE LANCUACE OF FLOWERS m VERSE A |M OF THE FIELD. . THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES c <^-^ &*&£ SZ^^ t&^Zr ^£ h AND THE 1^ EJMBJhE^IS BT A LILY OF THE FIELD. ' How oft' cloth an emblem-bud silently tell, What language, could never speak half so well." Miss Twanley. "Affection's tribute, With silent eloquence, more rich than words." PLYMOUTH : PRINTED BY W. H. LUKE, BEDFORD STREET. 1872. V PR 3991 AH-* PREFACE. My objcct'ffttfar, to benefit The poor, the helpless, Blind. And I much hope, they'll many friends, With hearts and money find. These, happ'ly, oft' together go ; Tho' oft' it doth befall, Alas ! that those of riches full, Have got no hearts at all. May all remember, that 'tis writ In God's most Holy "Word, " For whoso gtveth to the poor, He, lendeth to the Lord." "Well mark, the promise made by one, Who never spake in vain, " And look, that what he layeth out, Shall be paid him again." " Them who are rich in this world's goods, And pity " poor man's " strife With poverty — foundation good, Lay, for Eternal Lite." A LILY OF THE FIELD. April, 1872. 918CC4 m%wl%\ 4 djftat^ra. ^ M.~MW % Flowers, sweet Flowers ! oft' our thoughts express, Our hopes sometimes — ou these I'll lay no stress For hopes like flowers, soon fade and wither too, Become things of the past — dead — lost to view. Thoughts live for ever, so, may well compare To "Everlasting " flow'r, bright and fair. " Remembrance never ceasing'' is its type; What joy; when thought with "Lasting pleasure's'' ripe. The drooping " Snowdrop,'' " Hope '' itself implies, Hope — that oft' like the Snowdrop, droops and dies. The bright " Forget-me-not " its own tale tells; How sweet ! when we can feel that such thought dwells In hearts of those we love — and comfort great To think, in mem'ry, 'tis not mixed with hate ! --**>?** 'f c Language of Flowers. The "Violet Blue a flower gentle — sweet Of " Faithfulness " expressive is, replete With charms — and happy are all those, who feel Their friends are faithful — be't in woe or weal. The "Heliotrope, " " Devotion" great denotes. In thought, its sight, its scent, this e'er promotes. Who that has felt its force can e'er forget ! The loss — all who have felt — must e'er regret. The " Lily-of-the Valley "—sweetest flow'r ! " Return of Happiness" implies — its pow'r O'er sense and feeling, must be great for ever, Tho' the return be slow — Aye, often never ! — The tl Myrtle" soars, almost at thought above, It tells a tale of deep and lasting love, To those, who understand its language sweet ; Such folks are rare — with them we seldom meet. "You occupy my thoughts" the "Heart's-ease says, And so, the thoughts of many oft' betrays. "Ease" — "occupy'' are words that plainly prove The thoughts are pleasing, that the feelings move. Sweet "Mignonette" all gloomy thought disarms, It says — "Your qualities surpass your charms" — Language of Flowers. The "Charms" it means, must be exceeding fair The "qualities" of such, exceeding rare, Tho' some there be, combine the twain in one, Each equal to the other — they alone Compare to the "Camelia" in the sense It gives of "Unpretending excellence" — The Eose, the "White rose wild" doth much contain It tells of "Pleasure mingl'd e'er with pain" — Each held in mem'rys chain, for ever fast — Mingl'd in thought together, e'er must last. Tho' joyous 'tis! when pleasure past pain kills; Friendship restor'd! the heart with gladness thrills; Feels more than tongue can tell — from pen can flow; And lights up friendship's torch, with brightest glow. The "Peony," and "Marvel of Peru," "Timidity," and "Bashfulness," endue All those with, who (like me) these feelings know, And like the "White Eose," "Silence" ever show In floral language sweet — and ever try To prove like "Bush Vetch," they are very shy. The "Vetch" in "Bush" tries to, its charms conceal, Its inward twining, clearly doth reveal ~^&>: vff^--. m^- 8 Language of Flowers. Its "Shyness" and with "Lily "White" will vie, As emblematical of "Modesty" — Emblems of me — poor me — but I most shine In that which follows — here none me outshine. I'm "Lily of the Field," an emblem sweet Of great "Humility"! tis e'er a treat To find this charm, in those we would respect; Sometimes we find it, where we least expect. The "Fern," the lovely "Fern," is emblem bright Of deep "Fidelity" and sheds a light Of "Fascination" round the hearts of those, Thro' whose hearts love and friendship ever flows. The "Ivy" twines, and round most closely clings Whate'er it takes to — hence its compare springs To sweet "Fidelity," to "Friendship" dear; What greater charms requir'd, the heart to cheer ! The "Moss," the "Sorrel," children of the Wood, "Parental love" declare — Each, understood By those, who read the language of bright flow'rs ; Bright book of nature! joy it ever show'rs On hearts of all who can appreciate Its sweet, sweet charms with feelings adequate. ■1 ^m V «J vfc^ Language of Floivers. I am not vain enough to think that aught, Compos' d by me, will teach the yet untaught, To love or care for this, a bit the more, Or treasure in their hearts, the valu'd store In natures book! the brightest e'er was writ; The clearest, sweetest, best, for ever it Truthful appears — so thro' the heart must run And with this "happy thought" I'll end Part I. a***- v, 'f Language of Flowers. 11 JP M- *M W 3E3E With pleasure great, I now my path pursue; Bright, joyous path ! more flowers on't I'll strew. I've trod one part — and many a flow'r sweet Have pluck' d, from out my little book's retreat The meaning of — in humble strain — to try And illustrate its prose, in poetry. Flow'r, fruit, or plant, whichever in my mind Poetical appears, in true, or kind; I cull — tho' this to do, is work of time, I pick them, as I find they suit my rhyme And hope, that those I write for, will approve The emblems, that I pick, of truth and love. Select from, when they wish, the hearts to cheer, Of those, they love, and hold for ever dear. May't pleasure give them ! it does me to look At much contain' d, in my dear little book, 12 Language of Flowers. Eeminding me, of much, that's past and gone, "Of days long vanished, never to return" — I'm old and odd — my blooming days are o'er, E'en if I would — I can't — my youth restore. Bright, cheerful emblems ! The "Filbert" speaks of " Eeconciliation " The "Flax" expresses "Sense of obligation, " The one, a sweet charm, when our friends are dear, The other, feeling deep, which naught can tear From out the hearts of those, who e'er love well The friends, whom, in their hearts, none can excel. "I share your sentiments" is well express'd By "Garden daisy" and to all address'd — All those, who, in their thoughts can realize, The sentiments of those, they love and prize — "Participation, in one sense must flow, Through hearts of all, whose, e'er with pleasure glow At sight of Spring's bright flow'rs — Spring best of times, When all that's bright, with nature, ever chimes. The "Variegated Tulip" e'er implies That sweet charm in the Fair — "Beautiful eyes" Language of Flowers. 13 To look on either, doth much joy impart — Both, bright and beautiful, to ev'ry heart. That is not cold, to all that's rich and rare, In nature's lovely garden — sweet and fair! The "Cowslip" of our fields with "Grace" doth shine Th' American with "Beauty" most "Divine" — The "Milk Vetch" cries "your presence softens pain" The "Pink Geranium," "Preference," quite plain — So, "you are perfect" says the "Pine Apple" "Constancy's" told by "Canterbury Bell." The "Cranberry" a "Cure for heart-ache" gives " Affectionate remembrance" ever lives In "Eosemary, " and "Austrian Eose'' exclaims "You're very lovely." so with "Moss Eose" aims At that "Superior merit" which we see Emblemiz'd in the garden "Strawberry." This cries aloud, "Perfection"! "Love"! "Esteem"! Like "Eose bud red," doth "Pure and lovely" beam That "You please all" the "Bunch of Currants" tells With "Tender recollections" ever swells In thought, the "Periwinkle white" or "Eed" From "Damask Eose," sweet "Bashful love" is shed. H~ ^r^ J ;V*&- i 14 Language of Flowers. "Scarlet Geranium," "Comforting" appears And "Mugwort," type of "Happiness," e'er cheers — Sweet "Consolation" gives the "Poppy red" With "Mutual love" "Ambrosia" rears its head — "Delicate Beauty's," "Flower of an hour" The "Crown Imperial" is type of "Pow'r" — The "Spear Mint" speaks, of "Warmth of Sentiment" And "Indian jasmine" of " Great attachment " Each lend to friendship's store a pleasing charm Each prove the thoughts and feelings e'er beat warm. "Delicate pleasure" doth "Sweet pea" exclaim The "Tulip Tree" is typical of "Fame"— In flow'rs sweet voice — so in a floral sense, The "Cyclamen" is type of "Diffidence." — And much it charms me, in the "Broom" to find, "Humility" and "Neatness" are combined — "I am your Captive" cries aloud Sweet "Blossom of the Peach," And thus to all, its emblem of Sweet Slavery, doth teach — The "Aconite leav'd Crowfoot" Ever beams with "Brilliancy," Language of Flowers. 15 And " Lustre" is another type, That in this plant we see. The "Ethiopian Calla" " Magnificent Beauty" sheds — "Globe Amaranth'' "Unfading love" Around most brightly spreads — Its symbol too, "Unchangeable' .» Is charming to the sense. "Hepatica" sweet little flow'r ! Abounds in "Confidence" — The "Cactus" tells of "Warmth" in love And it is very sure, That "Balm of Gilead," gives "Belief," Sometimes, a perfect "Cure". "Love sweet and secret's," emblemiz'd By "Honey flower '' bright — And " Mother wort " " Concealed Love " Exclaims with all its might. The "Mountain Pink" "Aspiring Love," With no wish to be free — "Conjugal Love" expressed is, By "Lime or Linden Tree." i^gf- & "*. 16 Language of Floivers. "Unfading" "Lasting Beauty" shows The "Stock and Gilly-flow'r" ' ' Am ethy stea " " A dmiration ' ' ! With all its floral pow'r — "Attachment 1 ' deep "Devoted," Is another emblem giv'n By that sweet flow'r the "Heliotrope," In thought akin to Heav'n. It is so sweet ! it charms the sense ! Its sentiment must prove, We owe it to bright Heav'n above, And here, to those we love ! Flowers in the dismals very ! "If I neglected am, I die," Says the fair "Laurestine" The implication "If I'm not^ "Most brightly I will shine" It gives as well another sign, 'Tis emblem of " a token " And "Melancholy" sits most deep, On ev'ry heart that's broken. The which I find, is symboliz'd V Language of Flowers. Dismally by "dead leaves" And "Dark Geranium" gloomily, Also, unto it cleaves — "Hopeless" and o'er "Desertion," "Love-lies-bleeding" weeps, With all "Extinguish'd Hope" "Convolv'lus Major" creeps. "My happy days are over" "Meadow Saffron" saith! And "Hemlock" sadly moans out, You will cause my death." u C Language of Flowers. y&M.'MW 3EtE3c How joyous 'tis! when in this world Of misery and woe, We have the pow'r, the will the heart To those we love — to show By aught approaching, aught that's kind, In thought, in deed, in word, How much we do appreciate The pleasure they afford. To us — when on us — they their smiles, Bestow, and let us find, That we remember'd are, by them, With feelings ever kind. I know no language, can express More forcibly — so well, More gently, sweetly, truthfully, The thoughts that in us dwell. Language of Flowers. Than that sweet language of sweet flow'rs, For ever blooming bright — For e'en a flow'r, tho' wither' d — dead, Recalls to thought the light It shed in us — once on a time — Thoughts full of joy and glee, Tho' this be dead — like little flow'r, It lives in memory. So as I am in rhyming mood, I'll e'en resume my task, And in my darling little book's Sweet bed of flow'rs, will bask. Will go on plucking emblems sweet, Prove what I pen is true ; Tho' I abound in that express'd By "Marvel of Peru." The "Arbor Yita3," tree of life, With living truth doth bloom — "Unchanging friendship" says, and so Dispels all thought of gloom. With "Gratitude" for ev'ry boon The "White Bell flower" shines, L g>~ Language of Flowers. 21 The "Myrrh," with " Gladness," "Passion flower," ' In "Faith" "Belief " e'er twines. "Yon are rich in Attractions" cries The bright "Eanunculus," Bound in love's "Bonds," in sweet "Eepose" The fair "Convolvulus." "You're always lovely" sweetly doth Exclaim the "Indian Pink." And naught can more expressive be Of Beauty bright, I think. "Grace," "Elegance," are typified By "Yellow Jasmine" sweet. "Simplicity and Beauty," in "Burgundy Kose" we meet. With "Splendour" shines " Nasturtium " The "Scarlet" of its kind— And "Ardour" in the "Cuckoo plant" Love's ardour sweet, we find. All charms — sweet charms — that in the fair It joys us much to see ; And those we love, we e'er endue With charms, that cannot flee. $$*&** - — -<*$& <#$. 99 Language of Flotvers. With "Lustre" great, with "Lustre" bright, Shines the "Fair Maid of France," (The Fair with lustre ever shine, And e'er our hearts entrance.) But fair as be "Fair Maid of France," A type of all that's sweet, In floral sense — naught can afford To us, so rich a treat, As dwelling on the charms of those Sweet Flow'rs in Human form, "Who ever by their brightness cheer; Our hearts with gladness warm. Old England's Fair one's bear the palm From all the world, away. And of these, Devon's fair daughters, sweet, Shine out in bright array. As first, as best, none can come near To them, none can compare; They are so bright ! they are so sweet ! ! They are so wonoVrous fair ! ! ! The "Saffron Crocus," "Mirth" implies; The "Daffodil" "Kegard;" <& Language of Flowers. 23 The "Goose*foot," "Goodness;" " Daisy Eose," Doth e'er "A Smile'' award. The "Musk Eose" says, it "Charming" is, The "Coreopsis" fair Is "Always cheerful," makes the heart, Feel light as balmy air. The "Eed leav'd Eose" with "Beauty" sweet, Blooms ever to the sight ; And beaming with "Prosperity" Must ever bloom most bright. "Eose Campion," a lovely Eose, Doth lovely type express — It tells of that we joy to see, Sweet — charming "Gentleness." A charm indeed ! and one we like In those we love, to prove, Combin'd with Grace and Beauty, should Be "Gentleness" and love. The "Sultan sweet" is charming type, Of sweet "Felicity;" "Veronica" with "Ivy" vies, In deep Fidelity. 24 Language of Flowers. The "Heliotrope Peruvian" Of flow'r, a lovely treasure, "Intoxicated" emblem gives, Quite overcome, with pleasure. The "Coronella" hopeful is, "Success your wishes crown," It says to all the fair — the dark — The red — the white — the brown! "Truth's emblemiz'd, by two odd flow'rs, In name, there can't be doubt — The "Night shade" and the "Bitter sweet" This truth most plain, cry out. 'Tis said, that "Truth" is only found At "Bottom of a well," This must be wrong, my little book In truth doth much excel — And tells me truths, I joy to pick, From out its little page ; Truths, that have cheer' d — will cheer for e'er, For they my thoughts engage. "Chrysanthemum" the "Chinese" sort, Abounds in emblems queer, Language of Flotvers. Gives, "I love truth'' with "Slighted love," And is a type of cheer. "Cheerfulness in Adversity"! A charming thing indeed! But mix'd up with sad "Slighted Love" Is curious to read — The "Honey-Suckle" Twining sweet Divinely doth address Itself, unto the wedded, in "Domestic Happiness." But this can only be attain' d And brought to high perfection By feeling strong, its other type, "Devoted" sweet "Affection." "Affection deep, beyond the grave" The "Locust plants" revive — The "Mulb'ry Tree," the "Black" exclaims "You, I shall not survive," The "Daisy wild," wild tho' it be, Sweet "Innocence" reveals — The " Dock" tho' I can not tell why, With "Patience" o'er us steals. Language of Floivers. Had " Perseverance" been its type, There could have been no doubt, For "Dock" once rooted in the earth. Is puzzling to get out. The emblem of this quality Is by "Canary Grass" Impli'd, 'tis a good quality, And few can it surpass — It leads to fame — in floral sense, It means we must be bold, "Faint heart ne'er won a lady fair'' So, says the proverb old. The "Double Eed Pink" "Woman's Love"! Is of all types the best "Without it, what would this world be ! On what, could poor man rest ! 'Tis greatest blessing ! comfort! joy! By providence is giv'n To cheer man on his weary way ! 'Tis next best gift, to Heaven ! — Of all created in this world, l^aught does, or can excel, Language of Flowers. 27 Sweet woman's form — her beauty— Cast on ?naiikm& a spell — A spell of joy! a blissful spell! Bright ! charming ! to the eye ! The heart ! the feeling ! she alone, With Angel fair, can vie /-— And here I will conclude Part III. I naught more sweet can find, In book, or out, expressive of That, running in my mind — A Fair conclusion, that with joy, My thoughts, and feelings, bind. -grace \ -9*>{ Language of Flozvers. 29 •90 f ^>J?L^IW X~W The "Holy Herb," whate'er it be— "Enchantment" gives as type, With "Bashful Modesty" the "plant" Yclep'd "Sensitive" is ripe — "Thoughts" is another emblem giv'n By "Pansy or Heart's-ease," The "Ivy sprig, with tendrils" is "Assiduous to please" "Beneficence" the "Marsh Mallow" "All spice" "Benevolence" "Love in a Mist" "Embarrassment," The "Lotus," "Eloquence" Eloquence in Love's language sweet — The language of sweet flow'rs, "Which "Eglantine or Briar sweet" In "Poetry," round show'rs. n Language of Flowers. ft On us, at times, impressively Tries to, its charms impose. These dwell more sweetly on our thoughts In "Poetry" than prose, As I will try to illustrate In language of sweet love — Pluck from my darling little book Each emblem — and so prove That Love is sweet, where e'er it grows, Where ever it is found. And verifies the old, old song "Love makes the world go round." The blooming "Lilac" emblem is Of sweet "Love's first emotion" Which, when first felt, sure in the heart, E'er causes sweet commotion — Commotion new, and pleasing, strange ! We wish, 'twould last for ever We feel, as we ne'er felt before — Hope, nothing will it sever. The "Yellow Iris" is a type Of "Love" itself most lasting, Language of Flowers. 31 Yies with the "Myrtle" in its depth Joy, ever o'er us casting — The "Tulip Bed," "of Love,' 1 sweet love Tells plainly "Declaration"! Declares itself, in what of all Is sweetest exclamation. "I do so love you;" softly cries So, leaves a sweet impression On ev'ry heart that ever lov'd Sweet ! aye ! past all expression ! The "Bridal Bose" of "Happy Love" Is emblem bright! sweet! dear! — The "Acacia" gives " Blatonic "Love " Free from all thoughts of fear. The "White Bose Bud" sweet "Girlhood" shows, Cries, "I'm to young too love" ! Tho' all those, must be very young Who, Love's sweet pow'r can't prove. The "Woodbine" tells of Home's sweet ties, Is type of "Love Fraternal" The "Moss" sweet now'r of the wood! Charms with dear "Love Maternal'' %****- 32 Language of Flowers. The " Carolina Kose'' implies That "Love is Dang'rous," why? "Pretended Love" it sure must mean Its emblem, the " Catch-fly," Love, lasting long — love, true and firm, Would shield, the Lov'd from harm — Prove itself strong, by word and deed, And could cause no alarm. "Lively and Pure Love's," emblemiz'd By little "Eed Pink," bright, The "Love of Nature" nature sweet — Must in each sense delight. As does its type "Magnolia," Which o'er the senses steals As something very sweet indeed, And much thereby reveals — Tells us of, nature's lovely Flow'rs, In "Human form Divine" So fair ! so sweet ! ! so exquisite ! ! ! So bright, they ever shine! Tells us, again, of all that's writ Besides in nature's book. % r <3^ -^#^ ?*L Language of Flowers. 33 Bright book indeed ! and one on which It joys us e'er to look. "Difficulties to be o'ercome" The "Mistletoe" expresses, Love's difficulties, it must mean, And, so, itself addresses To all, who troubl'd are with love That does not smoothly run — May they, soon find their love shine clear All difficulties shun ! I've come to end of emblems, that Of Love, my book contains — Will now proceed to illustrate Whate'er that's bright, remains. E Language of Flowers. 35 IP M.MW ^r Once more my pen, I take in hand; My little book looks bright, And tells me, that on flowers sweet, 'Twill shed some further light. I'll search its pages, search out all It promises to show; And pick them, as I find they will, In "rhyme and reason" flow. To finish that, I've enter'd on, I must pluck very^quick; And to complete my joyous task, Must strew them ver}^ thick. For old time flies— and fly it will, Sad, sad tho' it may be; All earthly joys, must have an end, 'Tis sad fate's, sad decree ! ^Ste* ■ 36 Language of Flowers. I'll pluck then first, "Mezereon" "Which gives "Desire to please," As emblem bright — 'tis my desire — I therefore on it seize To start afresh with, on my path ; And hope, I may succeed In giving pleasure to the few Who'll my poor efforts read. I've done with Love — my book's I mean Sure, Love's not done, with me ; For I shall go on loving still. However old I be. The Love I would by this express, Is that we seldom see. 'Tis greatest gift — Would all had more ! The gift of Charity. But I must back go, to my book It has done, most sweet duty ; And I'll e'en try to pluck from it Whate'er remains of Beauty. "Musk Eose," "Capricious Beauty" of, Is clearly typical, Language of Flowers. 'Tis not a pleasing Beauty this; Tho' fair, 'tis whimsical. The "Wither'd Kose Bud" plainly tells Of "Fleeting Beauty" in Each — all the beautiful — for it's Not deeper than the skin. That is, the outward Beauty, which We joy so much to find. How doubly joyous 'tis! whenjoin'd To Beauty of the mind. A. treasure great, that cannot fleet, Which lasts — Aye, lasts for ever! Thanks be ! we very often find Them, sweetly link'd together In those we love, they must appear; Or love we should not feel, That, would become of fleeting «i This, we could not conceal. " Ill-natur'd Beauty," painful sound ! One that grates on the ear, Agrees so ill, with all that's sweet In Nature, bright and fair. ; /tt*a£ Language of Flowers. ^ The "Citron" tells it— fitting type, Of Beauty, sharp and sour, To look at, beautiful indeed, But fill'd with cutting pow'r. "Neglected Beauty" sad indeed! That such should ever be; I fear it oft' neglected is, Tho' pitiful to see. Want of bright money — want of taste; Want of some feeling fine, Are causes, that alas! oft make "Neglected Beauty" pine. The " Throat- wort, " the flow'r that gives This emblem — and it shows That "Beauty," bright as oft it buds, "Neglected" often blows. "French Honey-Suckle, "flow'r sweet As " Eustic Beauty " shines, A charming emblem, of a flow'r, That charming ever twines. "Your sole Attraction, Beauty is" The "Eose Japan" cries out. 'V_ Language of Flowers. 39 Attraction beautiful and sweet To look at, there's no doubt. Beauty is ever sweet and fair, But should — as I have shown — Combine itself with other charms, Not be the only one. I've done with Beauty, now, and it Has also done with me, The only Beauty I have left Is sweet "Humility." Indeed! Hum! Hah! cry "one and all" This fact you'll widely spread, And it is very clear to us, Your trumpeter is dead. JK ULY OF THE FIELD. April, 1872. ■^m ,: 1 INDEX. JIouwb. Everlasting Everlasting Pea Snowdrop Forget-me-not Blue Violet Heliotrope Lily of the Valley Myrtle Heart' s-ease Mignonette Camelia PART I. tablets. Remembrance never ceasing Lasting pleasure Hope. Eorget-me-not Faithfulness Devotion Return of Happiness Love You occupy my thoughts Your qualities surpass your charms Unpretending excellence -- 11. Index. 'V v -zmr