JUNE 149 



" As erst in Eden's blissful bowers, 

 Young Eve surveyed her countless flowers, 

 An opening rose of purest white 

 She marked with eye that beamed delight ; 

 Its leaves she kissed, and straight it drew 

 From beauty's lips the vermeil hue." 



And again an old author (1602) says 



" And I have heard that till this boy (Cupid) was borne, 

 Roses grew white upon the virgin thorne ; 

 Till one day, walking to a pleasant spring, 

 To learn how cunningly the birds did sing, 

 Lying him down upon a flowery bed, 

 The roses blushed and turned themselves to red, 

 The rose that blushed not for his great offence, 

 The gods did punish for his impudence 

 They gave his doome, that was agreed by all, 

 The smell of the white rose should be but smalle." 



