Shamrock
the national emblem of Ireland, corresponding to the rose of England and the thistle of Scotland. The word is an old Irish name for clover. St. Patrick is said to have used the three leaves to teach the doctrine of the Trinity. To avoid confusion, it may be well to remember that English writers frequently speak of the clover as trefoil. In America, the shamrock is considered usually the same plant as our white clover. A small yellow hop clover is sold on the streets of Dublin as the genuine shamrock.
There's a dear little plant that grows in our isle,
'Twas St. Patrick himself, sure, that set it;
And the sun on his labor with pleasure did smile,
And with dew from his eye often wet it.
It thrives through the bog, through the brake, and the mireland,
And its name is the dear little shamrock of Ireland.
The sweet little shamrock, the dear little shamrock,
The sweet little, green little, shamrock of Ireland!
--Andrew Cherry.
'Twas St. Patrick himself, sure, that set it;
And the sun on his labor with pleasure did smile,
And with dew from his eye often wet it.
It thrives through the bog, through the brake, and the mireland,
And its name is the dear little shamrock of Ireland.
The sweet little shamrock, the dear little shamrock,
The sweet little, green little, shamrock of Ireland!
--Andrew Cherry.
Volume IV · Aiton’s Encyclopedia