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Re: [SG] [SHADEGARDENS] Hyacinths Poem

Sherryl, Sheila, and anyone connected with Forest Farm Nursery: I just
checked my BARTLETT'S FAMILIAR QUOTATIONS (looked in the index under
hyacinth) and there it was. James Terry White, 1845-1920, from a poem
called NOT BY BREAD ALONE written in 1907.

The correct quote is somewhat different:

If thou of fortune be bereft
And in thy store there be but left
Two loaves, sell one and with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.

It is sad that Mr. White's most famous verse (Bartletts has nothing else
by him) is taken away from him and attributed to the Chinese. If anyone
has dealings with Forest Farm, I hope they will set them straight!

Bobbi Diehl
Bloomington, IN
zone 5/6


==============================
On Sat, 28 Mar 1998, Michael D. Cook wrote:

> At 09:51 AM 3/21/98 -0600, you wrote:
> >If of thy earthy store thou art bereft;
> >Two loaves alone to thee are left;
> >Sell one and with the dole
> >Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.
> >
> >Author (if known)?
>
> Hi, Sherryl.  The poem is in one of Forest Farm's catalogues, I think one
> of last year's.  I believe it was only attributed as a "Chinese proverb."
> I'll keep looking.
>
>
>
> Sheila Smith
> mikecook@pipeline.com
> Z 5/6
>
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