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Simple honesty shows in vain
A fashion few seek to robe in,
While the poor SHEPHERD'S-PURSE is ta'en
By rascally RAGGED-ROBIN.

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COLTSFOOT
and
LARKSPUR

SPEEDWELL

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In the race of the flowers that's run due,

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As the HARTSTONGUE pants at the well

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And the HOUNDSTONGUE laps the SUNDEW.

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Here's VENUS'-COMBE for MAIDENHAIR:
While KING-CUPS drink BELLA-DONNA,

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Glad in purple and gold so fair,
Though the DEADLY NIGHTSHADE'S upon her.

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Behold LONDON PRIDE robed & crowned,
Ushered in by the GOLDEN ROD,
While a floral crowd press around,
Just to win from her crest a nod.

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The FOXGLOVES are already on.
Not only in pairs but dozens;
They've come out to see all the fun,
With sisters and aunts and cousins.

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The STITCHWORK looked up with a sigh
At BATCHELOR'S BUTTONS unsewn:

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Single Daisies were not in her eye,
For the grass was just newly mown.

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The HORSE-TAIL, 'scaped from WOLFE'S CLAW,
Rides off with a LADIES' LAGES.

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The FRIAR'S-COWL hides a doctor of law,
And the BISHOP'S-WEED covers his grace's

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The SNAPDRAGON opened his jaw,
But, at sight of Scotch THISTLE, turned pale:

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He'd too many points of the law
For a dragon without a scale.

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Little JENNY-CREEPER lay low,
Till happy thoughts made her gladder;
How to rise in the world she'd know,
So she climbed up JACOB'S LADDER

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SWEET WILLIAM with MARYGOLD
Seek HEARTSEASE in the close box-border.
Where, starched in their ruff's stiff fold,
DUTCH DAHLIAS prim, keep order.

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NARCISSUS bends over the brook,
Intent upon DAFFA-DOWN-DILLY:

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While EYEBRIGHT observes from her nook,
And wonders he could be so silly.

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A LANCE FOR A LAD 'gainst KING'S SPEAR.
When the BUGLE sounds for the play

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A LADIES MANTLE flaunting there
Is the banner that leads the fray.

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KNIGHT'S SPUR to the LADIES BOWER
To seek for the LADIES SLIPPER.

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'Twas lost in the wood in a summer shower
When the CLOWN'S WORT tried to trip her.

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TOAD-FLAX is spun