192 FLORA HISTORICA. 



during the present age. It was proscribed during 

 the Revolution, and hundreds of persons, found 

 wearing it, were condemned to death by the revo- 

 lutionary tribunal, whose revolting act of the 21st 

 of January, 1793, rendered a line of our great bard 

 on this subject so strikingly appropriate as almost 

 to be considered prophetic : 



Cropp'd are the Flower de Luces in his arms. 



During this national frenzy, wherever the Fleur de 

 Lis stood conspicuous in sculpture, it was defaced 

 through the fury of the mob, who covered the obli- 

 teration by their silly cap of liberty, which, in its 

 turn, was obscured by the expanding wings of the 

 imperial eagle. Napoleon substituted the bee for 

 the Iris flower, and it would certainly appear a 

 more rational emblem of an industrious nation than 

 their ancient flower ; but both bee and eagle have 

 taken their departure, and the Fleur de Lis is 

 once more left to spangle the royal robes of France. 

 Chaucer seems to confound the Lily with the 



Iris : 



His nekke was white as the Flour de Lis. 



Spenser, who, in most instances, preserved the old 

 spelling with the greatest care, says — 



Bring hither the pinke and purple Cullambine, 



With Gelliflowres ; 

 Bring Coronations, and sops in wine, 



Worne of paramours : 



