when it came to betstow his heart it was almost certain that he would bestow it upon the tulip, that is to say, upon the proudest and noblest of flowers
A caged bird in spring knows quite well that he might serve some end; he feels well enough that there is something for him to do, but he cannot do it. What is it?
— Vincent Van Gogh in 'The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh' edited by Mark Roskill