CYPRESS. — CENTAURY. 163 



THE CYPRESS TREE. 



This tree has been dedicated to sorrow and death in 

 ill civilized countries, and in all ages from the destruc- 

 ion of Troy to the present day. 



The mournful cypress rises round, * 



Tap'ring from the burial ground. 



LUCAN. 



In mournful pomp the matrons walk the round, 

 With baleful cypress and blue fillets crown'd, 

 With eyes dejected, and with hair unbound. 



iENEAs, Book 3 



THE BLUE-BOTTLE CENTAURY. 



This beautiful corn flower, the subject of the following 

 verses, is made the emblem of delicacy from the purity 

 of its celestial colour, which is not equalled by the finest 

 ultramarine, and scarcely surpassed by the azure veins 

 of youthful beauty. 



There is a flower, a purple flower 

 Sown by the wind, nursed by the shower, 

 15* 



