The Body grows without－1
The more convenient way－
That if the Spirit－like to hide
Its Temple stands, alway,
Ajar－secure－inviting－5
It never did betray
The Soul that asked its shelter
In solemn honesty
The more convenient way－
That if the Spirit－like to hide
Its Temple stands, alway,
Ajar－secure－inviting－5
It never did betray
The Soul that asked its shelter
In solemn honesty
(F.438/J.578)
[1] Body:: the body of lunary, or called honesty in line eight. It also hints at a maid's body.
[1–4] Body, Temple:: many single seeds of lunaria formed a curcular shape.
[7] shelter:: "It is named Virgin's Bower by reason of the goodly shadow which they make with their thick bushing and climbing; as also for the beauty of the flowers, and the pleasant scent or savour of the same." ─ The Cottage Gardener (1852)
[8] honesty:: lunaria or lunary, also called wild clematis, virgin's bower.
Honesty－Lunaria. This pretty flower owes its valuable name to the nature of its singular seed vessel, that honestly shows its number of seeds. ─ Floral Emblems (1825)
Honesty. The plant which led to these remarks was named Lunaria, from the circular shape of its silique or pod, which is thought to resemble the moon, luna, not only in shape, but in its silvery brightness. The title of Honesty appears to have been bestowed on this plant from the transparent nature of the silique, which discovers those seed vessels that contain seed from such as are barren, or have shed their fruit. It was formerly called "Pennie Flower, or Money Flower, Silver Plate, Pricksong Wort, and White Satin." ─ Flora Historica (1824)
