THE ASPHODEL. 



abounds with the white species. Persephone was wandering 

 with her companions in the fields of Enna : there, in the 

 meadow, sprung up a narcissus of marvellous beauty. Per- 

 sephone saw it, longed to gather it, hastened away from her 

 friends and put forth her hand to pluck the flower, when lo ! 

 the earth opened, and Pluto seized the young goddess and 

 bore her in his golden chariot to his palace in Hades, where 

 he made her his mournful bride and queen of his domains. 

 The Asphodel was dedicated to Persephone, as if in memory 

 of her sad abduction, and by the ancients was much used 

 in funeral ceremonies. The Shades, who have passed 

 beyond the river Acheron, roam about over vast fields 

 covered with this flower, and there they drink of the waters 

 of the river of oblivion. 



Longfellow, in a {q\^ verses called '' The Two Angels," 

 gives a curious conceit, wherein he combines the Asphodel 



and the Amaranth: 



"Two Angels, one of Life, and one of Death, 

 Passed o'er the village as the morning broke ; 

 ****** 

 And one was crowned with Amaranth, as with flame, 

 And one with Asphodels, like flakes of light. 



* * * * -if * 



And he who wore the crown of Asphodels, 

 Descending at my door, began to knock; 

 And my soul sank within me 



* * -)f * * * 



The door I opened to my heavenly guest, 

 And listened 



i8 



