Forget it not;--for even they, The oracles of earth, Mid all their wealth of golden thoughts, Their wisdom and their worth, Sometimes play pranks beneath the sky, Would scarce become e’en such as I! Weave ye an armful of that plant, Choosing the darkest flowers, With that red, blood-dipped wreath ye bring The devastating powers Of warrior, conqueror, or chief; Oh! twine that full of Folly’s leaf! And do ye ask me why this flower Is fit for every brow? Tell me but one where Folly ne’er Hath dwelt, nor dwelleth now, And I will then the laurel twine, Unmingled with the Columbine. _Louisa A. Twamley._ PASSION FLOWER.... _Faith_. In the Passion Flower, we find a representation of the crown of thorns, the scourge, the cross, the sponge, the nails, and the five wounds of Christ. Hence its name and signification. * * * * * One more plant---- Which, consecrate to Salem’s peaceful King, Though fair as any gracing beauty’s bower, Is linked to sorrow like a holy thing, And takes its name from suffering’s fiercest hour. Be this my noblest theme--Imperial Passion Flower! Whatever impulse first conferred that name, Or Fancy’s dream, or Superstition’s art, I freely own its spirit-touching claim, With thoughts and feelings it may well impart. _Barton._ * * * * * Faith builds a bridge across the gulf of death, To break the shock blind nature cannot shun, And lands thought smoothly on the further shore. _Young._ * * * * * True faith nor biddeth nor abideth form. The bended knee, the eye uplift is all Which man need render; all which God can bear. What to the faith are forms? A passing speck, A crow upon the sky. _Bailey._ * * * * * Faith is the subtle chain That binds us to the Infinite: the voice Of a deep life within, that will remain Until we crowd it thence. _Mrs. E. Oakes Smith._ * * * * * Naught shall prevail against us, or disturb Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold Is full of blessings. _Wordsworth._ * * * * * Ah, no! my dying lips shall close, Unaltered love, as faith professing; Nor (praising Him who life bestows) Forget who makes that life a blessing. My last address to Heaven is due;-- My last but one I give to you. _Lovibond._ PINK.... _Pure Love_.