ORANGE-TREE. 281 



riance of summer. The poet tells us in his notes, that 

 from the Orange-trees of Kauzeroon the bees cull a cele- 

 brated honey. 



" in short 



All the sweet cups to which the bees resort. 

 With plots of grass, and perfumed walks between. 

 Of citron, honeysuckle, and jessamine. 

 With orange whose warm leaves so finely suit. 

 And look as if they 'd shade a golden fruit." 



Story of Rimini. 

 -" thus was this place 



A happy rural seat of various view : 



Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm ; 



Others whose fruit, burnished with golden rind. 



Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true. 



If true, here only, and of deUcious taste. 



Paradise Lost, Book Fourth. 



Cowper places the Orange in his green-house : 



" The golden boast 



Of Portugal and western India there. 



The ruddier orange, and the paler lime. 



Peep through their polished foHage at the storm. 



And seem to smile at what they need not fear." 



Cowper's Task. 



" The garden of Proserpina this bight. 

 And in the midst thereof a silver seat 

 With a thick arbour goodly overdight. 

 In which she often used from open heat 

 Herself to shroud, and pleasures to entreat. 

 Next thereunto did grow a goodly tree. 

 With branches broad dispread, and body great. 

 Clothed with leaves that none the wood mote see. 

 And loden all with fruit, as thick as thick might be. 



" The fruit were golden apples glistering bright. 

 That goodly was their glory to behold. 

 On earth like never grew, ne living wight 

 Like ever saw, but they from hence were sold. 

 For those which Hercules with conquest bold 

 Got from great Atlas' daughters, hence began. 

 And planted there, did bring forth fruit of gold. 

 And those with which th' Eubcean young man wan. 

 Swift Atalanta, when through craft he her outran. 



