SUN-FLOWER. 341 



The French call this Hower Sole II and Tourncsol, 

 from a vulgar error that the blossoms turn to the 

 sun, whereas the flowers branch out on all sides of 

 the plant, and those which face the east at the open- 

 ing of day never turn to the west at the close of it, 

 although our poet of the Seasons evidently was ot* 

 the popular opinion that the Helianthus flower re- 

 gularly turned to the sun. 



"Who can unpitying- see the flowery race, 



Shed by the morn, their new-flush'd bloom resign 



Before the parching beam ? So fade the fair, 



"Wlien fevers revel through their azure veins. 



But one, the lofty follower of the sun. 



Sad when he sets, shuts up her yellow leaves 



Drooping all night, and, when he warm returns, 



Points her enamour'd bosom to his ray. 



Moore introduces the same allusion in his Irish 

 Melodies : — 



As the Sun-flower turns to her god when lie sets 

 The same look which she turn'd when he rose. 



These poetical ideas seem borrowed from Ovid's 

 transformation of Clytia : — 



But angry Phoibus hears, unmoved, her sighs. 



And scornful from her loath'd embraces flies. 



All day, all night, in tractless wilds alone 



She pined, and taught the listening rocks her moan. 



On the bare earth slie lies, her bosom bare. 



Loose her attire, dishevell'd is her hair. 



Nine times the morn unbarr'd the gates of light, 



As oft were spread the alternate shades of night, — 



So long no sustenance the mourner knew. 



Unless she drank her tears, or suck'd the dew : 



