Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

would only allow the Prince to rest his head on the pillow he was sure to sleep, for it was an unfailing remedy. It is said to have been tried, and to have given the Prince the first sleep that he had enjoyed for many days. From very early times the Poppy has been used as an emblem of the wheat harvest. All Poppies thrive best when exposed to sunshine and air ; most of those which are left to themselves to grow wild choose poor dry soil, such as an old footpath or old castle wall, where they get on so merrily that they can afford even to laugh at the Wall-flower and Snap-dragon in their perfect contentment under the most straitened circumstances. They really seem to choose a state of poverty, thus showing that they are well worthy of a place in our "cheerful family." The Poppy has also hidden qualities which may be used for good or evil. From it opium is extracted, so useful when skilfully applied by the doctor, but so hurtful when used otherwise, for it deadens the senses, and stupifies the whole being in an almost more harmful manner than does the habit of indulging in what is commonly called drinking. What are we tolearn, then? We learn that as with flowers, so with men and women, often

under the fairest outside appearance lurks hidden some terrible form of evil. For instance, we may be good looking or amusing companions, but all the while perhaps giving way to discontent and anger, and easily put out, if we cannot have our own way; should we not rather try to imitate these flowers and be contented with the circumstances of our lives, and if it is the Will of God that we should be very poor, as regards this world's goods, try to love, if we do not choose a state of poverty, and as the Poppy thrives best under very straitened circumstances, or in great poverty, so long as it has plenty of sunshine and air, so may we be sure that our souls will prosper best if we live like our great Example, with very few of this world's comforts, so long as our hearts are warmed by the Light of His Love, and thus we may hope to grow in His Image and Likeness, Who sanctified the state of poverty; so very poor he was, "He had not even where to lay His Head." In whatever state of life we may be, if we are striving to do our best, and make ourselves and those around us happy, we may be sure that

"The Lord will provide."

Another lesson we may learn before we leave the consideration of this pretty flower, whose life is of such short duration, is, that we are here but for a little while, the longest life is but short in which to learn the lesson of conformity to the Will of God.

"What is your life? It is even as a vapour, which appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away."

[graphic]

The Forget-me-not.

The Forget-me-not grows on the banks of the Avon, and an English writer has compared its rich colour to the eye of his beloved in the following lines :

To flourish in my favourite bower,

To blossom round my cot,

I cultivate the little flower

They call Forget-me-not.

It springs where Avon gently flows.
In wild simplicity;

And 'neath my cottage window grows,
Sacred to love and thee.

This pretty little floweret's dye
Of soft cerulean blue,
Appears as if from Ellen's eye

It had received its hue.

Though oceans now betwixt us roar,
Though distant be our lot-

Ellen though we should meet no more,

Sweet maid, Forget-me-not.

From "Favourite Field Flowers."

R. Tyas.

TH

The Forget-me-not.

REMEMBRANCE-TRUE LOVE.

HIS flower, so well known to us all, takes its name from a very touching story of two lovers, who were strolling along the banks of a long and winding river in Germany, a great many years ago. It was on a lovely summer's evening in the pleasant month of June. They were talking together very happily when, looking into the water, they saw the pretty flower of the Scorpion grass floating away, as they thought, on the water. The bride elect looked at the flower, and, admiring it very much, wished to save it, for she thought it was being carried to destruction; her lover, wishing to please her and to save the flower jumped into the water, but, as he seized it, he sank beneath the stream. Making one desperate effort to save himself he threw the flower on the bank, repeating with his last breath as he was sinking some words in German, which mean "Forget-me-not."

We all know the little blue flower with its golden

« AnteriorContinuar »