Legend of the Flower Forget-me-Not.*

Otago Witness, Issue 2330, 27 October 1898, Page 41

Legend of the Flower Forget-me-Not.*

In the land where the lordly Danube flows, Where knights are true and maidens fair, A simple floweret sweetly blows, Dearer to lovers than jewels Tare. " Myosotis " is that blossom's name, But it_ has another well I wot, The name to which it owes its fame — The simple sweet " Forget-me-nofc." And this is how that name was won: Two lovers by the Danube strayed, The blue flowers grew the bank upon, The maid wished some in her hair to braid. But all on the farther bank they grew, The river was deep and strong the tide But, almost before the lady knew, Her lover had left her side. Swiftly ho swam the flowing tide, And proudly grasped the blossoms blue; I ween that lady remembered long What next befell her knight so true. Boiling along in thy lordly pride, O! ruthless river, how could you dare To part that knight and his gentle* bride, The strong and true from the fond and fair. He threw the flowers to the lady's feet, As she stood enchained to the spot; • A - n^'n a3 o'er his head the cold waters meet Called, "Farewell, love, forget me not." And ever the comfort of her lorn lot "Were those flowers of lovely blue, And she gave them the name " Forget-me-not," And said they were Heaven's own hue, Fit emblems of love that is true. * Written by a Balclutha resident over the pseudonym of "Miriam," and awarded first prize m the poetry competition at the local Wesleyan Hobby Show.