FLORA'S LEXICON. 179 



OSI-], YELLOW. Rosa Lutea. Ludovico 

 Verthema tells us that, in the year 1503, 

 he saw great quantities of yellow roses at 

 Calicut, whence it is believed- that both the 

 single and double varieties were brought 

 into Europe by the Turks, as Parkinson 

 ^ mentions that it was introduced into Eng- 

 land by one Master Nicholas Lete, a worthy merchant of Lon- 

 don, and a great lover of flowers, from Constantinople, which 

 was first brought thither from Syria. It perished with Lete, but 

 afterwards others were transmitted to Master John de Frangue- 

 ville, also a merchant of London, and a great lover of all rare 

 plants, as well as flowers, from whicharesprung the many varie- 

 ties now flourishing in England. 



It is well known that yellow is the colour of infidelity. The 

 yellow rose also seems to appertain to the unfaithful in love or 

 friendship. Water injures it; the sun scorches it; and- this 

 scentless flower, which profits neither by attention nor liberty, 

 seems only to prosper when under restraint. When we wish to 

 see them in their full brilliancy, it is necessary to incline the 

 buds towards the earth, and keep them in that position by force. 



INFIDELITY. 

 Take back the sigh, thy lips of art 

 In passion's moment breathed to me ; 

 Yet, no — it must not, will not part, 

 'T is now the life-breath of my heart, 

 And has become too pure for thee ! 

 Take back the kiss, that faithless sigh 

 With all the warmth of truth imprest ; 

 Yet, no — the fatal kiss may lie, 

 Upon thy lips its sweets would die, 

 Or bloom to make a rival blest ! 

 Take back the vows that, night and day, 

 My heart received, I thought, from thine; 

 Yet, no — allow them still to stay, 

 They might some other heart betray, 

 As sweetly as they've ruin'd mine! Moore. 



