THE MEZEREON.

IN floral language, this early flowering shrub is made to express a desire to please, whilst others make it one of the emblems of coquetry, comparing it to a nymph, who in the midst of winter seeks admiration in her summer robes.

LEAVE such to trifle with more grace and ease,
Whom folly pleases, and whose follies please.

MEZEREON too,

РОРЕ.

Though leafless, well attired, and thick beset
With blushing wreaths, investing every spray.

COWPER.

THE NARCISSUS.

FROM Ovid's beautiful metamorphosis of the lovely and coy Narcissus into this flower it has become the emblem of Egotism and Self-Love.

NARCISSUS on the grassy verdure lies:
But whilst within the crystal fount he tries
To quench his heat, he feels new heats arise.

For as his own bright image he survey'd,
He fell in love with the fantastic shade;
And o'er the fair resemblance hung unmoved:
Nor knew, fond youth! it was himself he loved.

NARCISSUS fair,

As o'er the fabled fountain hanging still.

THOMSON.

THE CONVOLVULUS MAJOR.

THIS flower is given to the ladies, that when they have made their happy choice, they may have an appropriate flower to bestow on their hopeless suitors, so as to extinguish the flame their charms have created. It is the emblem of extinguished hopes.

CONVOLVULUS, expand thy cup-like flower,
Graceful in form, and beautiful in hue.

THE soft god of pleasures that warm'd our desires,
Has broken his bow, and extinguish'd his fires.

DRYDEN.

THE ROSEMARY.

ROSEMARY was formerly worn at weddings, to signify the fidelity of the lovers. It was also an emblem of remembrance.

I MEET few but are stuck with rosemary: every one asked me who was to be married.

NOBLE SPANISH SOLDIER.

THERE's rosemary for you, that's for remembrance; pray you love, remember.

OPHELIA.

HE, from his lass him lavender has sent,
Showing her love, and doth requital crave;
Him rosemary his sweetheart, whose intent
Is that he her should in remembrance have.

DRAYTON.

THE IVY.

THIS emblem of generous friendship attaches itself to the wretched.

As the ivy, when blasts howl before it,
Clasps the bough it encircles more tight;
So my heart, in the storms that break o'er it,
More closely to thine shall unite.

Then come to this bosom -'tis bleeding and bare; But the child of affliction may find a home there.

W. W. R.

I LOVE the ivy-mantled tower,
Rock'd by the storm of thousand years.

CUNNINGHAM.

THUS stands an aged elm, in ivy bound,
Thus youthful ivy clasps an elm around.

PARNELL.

THE YELLOW IRIS.

THIS flag flower is made to represent ·

My heart's on flame, and does like fire
To her aspire.

COWLEY.

No warning of th' approaching flame;
Swiftly like sudden death it came
I loved the moment I beheld.

GRANVILLE.

AMID its waving swords, in flaming gold

The Iris towers

MRS. C. SMITH.