Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]

SPHODEL. Tofieldia palustris. Class 6, HEXANDRIA. Order: TRIGYNIA. The yellow and white species of this elegant plant are old inhabitants of our gardens, are of very easy culture, and increase rapidly. The latter species covers immense tracts of land in Apulia, and affords very good nourishment to the sheep. It was sacred to Proserpine, and anciently used in funeral ceremonies; and it was believed that beyond the Acheron, the shades of the departed walked in vast meadows of Asphodel, where they drank the waters of oblivion.

MY REGRETS FOLLOW YOU TO THE GRAVE.

Sometimes my vision pictures thee, as stooping from on high, The light of love ineffable illumining thine eye;

Then soaring up, on snowy wings, that brighten as they rise, I hear thy soft voice calling me to meet thee in the skies!

I know that this is but a dream; that I can never see

Thy spirit, until mine shall wear the garment of the free;
That 't is my own imaginings that visit me by night,

But surely heaven the image clothes with something of its light!

Yes, mother! in thy holy home, death's gloomy valley past,
A hope hath risen in my heart, that we shall meet at last;
There these faint glimmerings of day, from yonder sphere un-

trod,

Shall be exchanged for perfect light-the effluence of GOD! THE KNICKERBOCKER.

Dull grave-thou spoil'st the dance of youthful blood,
Strik'st out the dimple from the cheek of mirth,
And ev'ry smirking feature from the face;

Branding our laughter with the name of madness.

BLAIR.

[graphic]

URICULA. Primula Auricula.

Class 5,

PENTANDRIA. Order: MONOGYNIA. As all the most beautiful flowers that were known to the ancients, had been placed in the hieroglyphical language of plants, we had some difficulty in making a selection worthy of representing the delightful art of painting. But our choice has at length fallen on the " queen of the snowy Alps," as the fittest emblem.

PAINTING.

O thou who seated by the golden wave
Of classic Tiber, stol'st the prismy hues
From the rich landscape that Italia gave,-
CLAUDE! whose celestial genius could transfuse
Heaven's beauty into earth's, and both combine
In those undying paintings only thine;

Could'st thou have travell'd to our western sky,
And near'd the setting sun, whose vesture spreads
Its gold and purple, blent harmoniously;

When Autumn chills the foliage, and sheds
O'er the piled leaves among the evergreen,
All colours and all teints to grace the scene;

Thou would'st have shown that there are other climes
Besides Ausonia's where the heart may gush
With overwhelming fulness, and at times

Feel the deep influence of bland nature's hush,
When Evening steals in blushes to her West,
And clouds are in their marriage garments drest.

DAWES.

[graphic]

ZALEA, INDIAN. Azalea Indica. Class PENT-DECANDRIA. Order: MONOGYNIA. A very splendid species of Azalea, with large and rich scarlet flowers, chosen, on account of the gorgeous splendour of its flowers, as the suitable emblem of Romance.

ROMANCE.

The pipe, and song, with many a mingled shout,
Ring through the forest, as the Satyr-rout
Dance round the dragon-chariot of Romance:
Forth pricks the Errant Knight with rested lance:
Imps, Dæmons, Fays, in antic train succeed,
The wand'ring maiden, and the winged steed!
The muttering Wizard turns, with haggard look,
The bloody leaves of the accursed book,
Whilst Giants, from the gloomy castle-tow'r,
With lifted Bats of steel, more dreadful low'r !
Hence, at midnight, thou shalt stray,
Where dark Ocean flings its spray,
To hear o'er Heav'n's resounding arch
The Thunder-Lord begin his march!
Or mark the flashes, that present
Some far-off shatter'd monument;
Whilst along the rocky vale,
Red fires, mingled with the hail,
Run along upon the ground,
And the thunders deeper sound!
The loftier Muse, with awful mien,

Upon a lonely rock is seen!

Full is the eye that speaks the dauntless soul;

She seems to hear the gathering tempest roll
Beneath her feet: She bids an eagle fly,

Breasting the whirlwind, through the dark-red sky!

Or, with elated look, lifts high the spear,

As sounds of distant battles roll more near. BOWLES.

ALM. Melissa. Class 14, DIDYNAMIA. Order: GYMNOSPERMIA. The scientific name of this plant is Melissa, which is synonymous with the Greek word for bee, being derived from μe, honey, which is sought for in these flowers with avidity. "The recent plant has the agreeable odour of lemons. "It was formerly prized as a corroborant in hypochondriacal and nervous affections." It is on account of the soothing qualities of the waters distilled from this plant that it has been made the emblem of sympathy.

[graphic]
[ocr errors]

SYMPATHY.

Is there who mocks at sacred Sympathy,
And owns a bosom from her dictates free?
Who never long'd to press unto his heart,
At the first glance, a friend, and never part?
Who the soft influence of a smile denies,
And the more melting power of tearful eyes?
Who an unconscious look, a word, a sigh,
Boasts his unhallow'd bosom can defy?
O never let him deem his soul was made
For holy hopes, and joys that never fade,
For pure delights, that love can only know,
And all the ties that cheer our hearts below:
The tender names of husband, brother, friend,
Ne'er to his breast their blissful sounds shall lend,
But cheerless, joyless, shall he live and die,
Nor claim in life a smile, in death a sigh!
M. A. J.

For love is a celestial harmony
Of likely hearts composed of stars concent,
Which join together in sweet sympathy,
To work each others' joy and true content.

SPENSER.

ALSAM.

DRIA.

Impatiens. Class 5, PENTANOrder: MONOGYNIA. This plant, which is one of the most beautiful and delicate of popular annuals, is a native of East India, and forms a showy cone of carnationlike flowers finely variegated. It possesses

the peculiar property of retaining, during the hottest months of summer, all its freshness and beauty, while many other plants are withered before they have flowered. It has been named Nolitangere and Impatiens, from the curious fact that when the seeds are ripe, they are thrown with considerable force out of the capsules on their being slightly touched; on this account it has been made the emblem of impatience. The Turks use it to represent ardent love.

[graphic]

IMPATIENCE.

Oh! for thy wings, thou dove!

Now sailing by with sunshine on thy breast;
That, borne like thee above,

I too might flee away, and be at rest!

Oh! to some cool recess

Take, take me with thee on the summer wind!

Leaving the weariness,

And all the fever of this life behind.

The aching and the void

Within the heart whereunto none reply,

The early hopes destroyed

Bird bear me with thee thro' the sunny sky.

HEMANS.

Send quick, and summon in the council

To see the crown imposed! Bianca dies!

My throne hangs on your speed! Fly!

N. P. WILLIS.

« ZurückWeiter »