Marvel of Peru.... Timidity.
Reading edition
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.
ROSE BUD, YELLOW LILY, LILAC I confess Your majestic beauty Has awakened my first emotions of love.
