PASSIFLORA QUADRANGULARIS; 



OR, 



QUADRANGULAR PASSION FLOWER. 



1 HIS climbing plant, introduced from Jamaica into om- gardens in 1768, by Philip Miller is 

 supposed to be a variety of the Alata, or winged Passion-flower. Like it, the stem is quadrangular 

 and wmged, as the shaft of an arrow; and if it be allowed to use the same fancy as Linn^us 

 sometimes indulged, we should conjecture it to be an hybrid, betwixt the common blue Passion- 

 flower, and the Alata, or winged. The involucre most resembles the blue Passion-flower; the pro- 

 per calyx, and petals of the corolla, the alata ; the radiance lies flat on the corolla, as with the 

 common ; but in size, and configuration, resembles most the alata ; whilst the inner part of the nec- 

 tary, and stamina, bear an higher affinity to the alata. The leaf also most resembles the alata, with 

 the tendril. As with the other Passion Flowers, it brings to mind the Mysteries of our religion. 



At length the fated term of many years 



The world's desire have brought, and lo! a God appears.... 



The Heav'nly babe the Virgin mother bears, 



And her fond looks confess the parent's cares; 



The pleasing burden on her breast she lays. 



Hangs o'er his charms, and with a tear surveys; 



The infant smiles, to her fond bosom prest, 



And wantons, sportive, on the mother's breast ; 



A radiant glory speaks him all divine, 



And in the Child the beams of Godhead shine 



Now time, alas ! far other views disclose. . . 

 The blackest comprehensive scene of woes. 

 See where man's voluntary sacrifice; 

 He bows HIS head, and God, the Saviour, dies!... 

 Fixt to the cross, his healing arms are hound, 

 While copious mercy streams from every woimd: 

 Mark the blood- drops that life exhausted roll, 

 And the strong Vang, that rends the yielding soul! 

 As all death's tortures, with severe delay. 

 Exult and riot in the iioblest prey:. . . 

 Lol the bright Sun, his chariot backward drivn. 

 Blots out the day, and perishes from Heavn: 

 Earth, trembling from her entrails, bears a part, 

 And the rent Rock upbraids mans stubborn heart. 

 Theyaw7iing Grave reveals his gloomy reign, 

 And the cold clay -clad Bead start into life again! 



LoWTH. 



