FLORA'S LEXICON. 221 



ATER LILY. Nymphata Alba. Class 13, 

 Polyandria. Order : Monogynia. The 

 Egyptians have consecrated to the sun, the 

 god of eloquence, the flower of the Nym- 

 pheca Lotus. This flower closes at evening, 

 and reclines on the bosom of the lake, from 

 the setting of the sun, until the rising of 

 that splendid orb on the succeeding morn. Flowers of the lotus 

 are inwoven in the head-dress of Osiris. The Indian gods also 

 are frequently represented on the waters as seated on this flower ; 

 it is supposed that this allegory may be understood as an allusion 

 to the fable of the world rising from the midst of the waters. 



ELOQUENCE. 



Oh come to the river's rim, come with us there, 

 For the white Water Lily is wondrous fair,^ 

 With her large broad leaves on the stream afloat, 

 Each one a capacious fairy-boat. 

 The swan among flowers ! How stately ride 

 Her snow-white leaves on the glittering tide! 

 And the Dragon-fly gallantly stays to sip 

 A kiss of dew from her goblet's lip. 



TWAMLEY. 



O eloquence ! thou violated fair ! 



How art thou woo'd, and won to either bed 



Of right or wrong ! O when injustice folds thee, 



Dost thou not curse thy charms for pleasing him, 



And blush at conquest? 



Havard. 

 Thy words had such a melting flow, 

 And spoke of truth so sweetly well, 

 They dropp'd like heaven's serenest snow, 

 And all was brightness where they fell ! 



Moore. 



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