MYRTLE. 173 



Zephyr speaks — serener skies, 

 Warm the glebe, and they arise! 

 We, alas ! earth's haughty kings, 

 We that promise mighty things. 

 Losing soon life's happy prime. 

 Droop and fade in little time. 

 Spring returns, but not our bloom 

 Still 't is winter in the tomb ! 



COWPER. 



THE MYRTLE. 



Mythological writers state that when Venus first sprang 

 from the bosom of the waves, the Hours preceded her with 

 a garland of myrtle, since which it has been dedicated to the 

 goddess of beauty, and made the emblem of love. 



The lover's myrtle. 



THOMSON. 



Like a myrtle tree in flower 



Taken from an Asian bower, 

 Where with many a dewy cup, 



Nymphs in play had nursed it up. 



hunt's CATULLUS. 



The lover with the myrtle sprays. 

 Adorns his crisped tresses. 



DRAYTON, 

 16* 



