POPPY — NETTLE. 161 



THE POPPY. 



In floral language, the poppy is made the symbol of con 

 solation to the sick, since it procures ease and sleep to the 

 restless invalid. 



Fertility was hieroglyphically described by Venus, with a 

 head of poppy in her hand. 



And poppies, which bind fast escaping sleep. 



COLUMELLA. 



Fkom the Poppy I have ta'en 

 Mortals balm, and mortals bane ! 

 Juice, that creeping through the heart, 

 Deadens every sense of smart. 



MRS. M. ROBINSON. 



THE STINGING NETTLE. 



The nettle carries its cruel venom in a bag at the base 

 o( the sting, always ready to perforate the incautious, and 

 throw in its vegetable poison, which, like slander, attacks 

 even the brave when it can act slyly. But, neither the 

 sting of the nettle, nor the tooth of a viper, is so much to 

 be dreaded as the tongue of a slanderer. 



