FLORA'S LEXICON. 



173 



EI) MULBERRY. Morus rubra. Class 

 21, Moncecia. Order: Tetrandria. The 



Red Mulberry is rare in the Atlantic States, 

 but abundant in the west, where it o&en 

 exceeds 60 or 70 feet in height, with the 

 trunk two feet in diameter. The fruit w 

 deep red, of an agreeable, acidulous, and 

 sugary flavour. The wood is fine-grained, compact, and by many 

 is esteemed fully equal in durability to the locust ; but the tree 

 is less abundant, grows more slowly, and requires a richer soil. 

 It is used in ship-building whenever it can be procured. 



WISDOM. 



O wisdom ! if thy soft control 



Can soothe the sickness of the soul, 



Can bid the warring passions cease, 



And breathe the calm of tender peace ; 



Wisdom! I bless thy gentle sway, 



And ever, ever will obey. 



But if thou comest with frown austere 



To nurse the brood of care and fear ; 



To bid our sweetest passions die, 



And leave us in their room a sigh ; 



Or if thine aspect stern have pow'r 



To wither each poor transient flower 



That cheers this pilgrimage of woe, 



And dry the springs whence hope should flow; 



Wisdom, thine empire I disclaim: 



In gloomy shade of cloister dwell, 



But never haunt my cheerful cell. 



Barbauld. 



And that old mulberry that shades the court 

 Has been my joy from very childhood up. 



White. 



15 



