320 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



The reader will remember that the Red-Rose has 

 from its long dwelling with us been named the English- 

 Rose ; doubtless it is to this flower Brown alludes in the 

 following lines, where speaking of the rivulets, he says, 



" Some running through the meadows, with them bring 

 CowsHp and mint: and 'tis another's lot 

 To hght upon some gardener's curious knot 

 Whence she upon her breast (Love's sweet repose) 

 Doth bring the queen of flowers, the English-rose." 



The bed of roses is not altogether a fiction. " The 

 Roses of the Sinan Nile, or garden of the Nile, attached 

 to the Emperor of Morocco's palace, are unequalled ; 

 and mattresses are made of their leaves, for men of rank 

 to recline upon*." 



The Eastern Poets have united the Rose with the 

 nightingale ; the Venus of flowers with the Apollo of 

 birds : the Rose is supposed to burst forth from its bud 

 at the song of the nightingale. 



" You may place a handful of fragrant herbs and 

 flowers before the nightingale ; yet he wishes not in his 

 constant heart for more than the sweet breath of his be- 

 loved Rose." — jAMif. 



" Oh ! sooner shall the rose of May 

 Mistake her own sweet nightingale. 

 And to some meaner minstrel's lay 

 Open her bosom's glowing veil. 

 Than Love shall ever doubt a tone, 

 A breath of the beloved one." 



" though rich the spot 



With every flower this earth has got, 

 What is it to the nightingale 

 If there his darling rose is not ?" 



Lalla RooKn. 



A festival is held in Persia, called the feast of Roses, 

 which lasts the whole time they are in bloom. 



* See notes to Moore's Lalla Rookh. f Ibid. 



