154 FLORA'S LEXICON 



ALM. Pahna. Class 21, Moncecia. Or- 

 der: Hexa.ndria. Whatever praise may 

 be awarded to the bay, there are few bat 

 will be disposed to give yet higher honour 

 to the palm. Like its classic associate (with 

 which it was often blended), it was consi- 

 dered an appropriate meed for the victor, but 

 more generally it was reserved for religious triumphs ; and from 

 this, as well as from the prominent place it occupies in Holy 

 Writ, we feel the epithet of " celestial palm," bestowed on it by 

 Pope, not inapplicable. 



VICTORY. 



But there is a fame shall last, 

 When earth's flitting glory's past, 

 And a branch no adverse blast 

 Shall destroy. 



'Tis, like bay, the victor's meed; 



But it decks not poet's grave, 

 Nor the warrior's martial deed, 

 No — 'tis only seen to wave 

 Where the martyr's honour'd dust doth repose, 

 Or his, who broke the gloom 

 Long of pagan lands the doom, 

 And made " the desert bloom 

 As the rose." 



But where 's the power of thought 



Which may pierce those scenes sublime, 

 When the Christian's fight is fought, 

 And o'er Sin, and Death, and Time, 

 Through heaven-imparted might, he hath won 

 When he joins the glorious band 

 Who as crowned victors stand, 

 With palm-branch in his hand, 

 Round the throne 1 



Anon. 



