OBSERVATIONS LPON THE ORANGE TREE. 165 



" Just then beneath some orange-trees, 



Whose fruit and blossoms in the breeze 



Were wantoning together, free, 



Like age at play with infancy ." 



The orange-tree is one of the very few which at once delight us 

 with the promise of spring, and the ripe luxuriance of summer. The 

 poet tells us in his notes, that from the Orange-trees of Kauzeroon 



the bees cull a celebrated 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." 

 The Orange upon its bough looks, indeed, like sunshine playing in 

 the shade ; its large green leaves have a happy effect in softening its 

 brilliancy, and nothing can better harmonize than this fine fruit with 

 its foliage. The*poets frequently speak of the leaves as of a shade to 



the orange : — 



" He hangs in shade the Orange bright, 

 Like golden lambs in a green night." 



Andrew Marvell. 



" Through the green shade the golden orange glows." 



Armstrong. 

 " 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 delicious taste." 



Paradise Lost. 



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 foliage at the storm, 

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



Cowpf.r'h Task, 



