36 



FLORA'S LEXICON 



ASIL. Ocimum Basilicum. Class 14, Di- 

 DYNAMIA. Order: GYMNOSPERMIA. Po- 

 verty is sometimes represented under the 

 figure of an old woman covered with rags, 

 seated near a plant of basil. It is commonly 

 said, that hate has the eyes of a basilisk, 

 because this name has been given to a fabu- 

 lous animal, which is stated to produce death by a single glance. 

 Basil, however, is a name derived from the Greek, which signi- 

 fies royal, and indicates the excellence of this fragrant plant. 



HATRED. 



I had much rather see 

 A crested dragon, or a basilisk; 

 Both are less poison to my eyes and nature. 



DRYDEN. 



No voice of friendly salutation cheer'd him, 

 None wish'd his arms might thrive, or bade God speed him : 

 I3ut through a staring ghastly-looking crowd, 

 UnhaiPd, unblest, with heavy heart he went. 



ROWE. 



Oh, that I could but mate him in his might, 

 Oh, that we were on the dark wave together, 

 With but one plank between us and destruction, 

 That I might grasp him in these desperate arms, 

 And plunge with him amid the weltering billows, 

 And view him gasp for life. 



MATURIN. 



They did not know how hate can burn 

 In hearts once changed from soft to stern; 

 Nor all the false and fatal zeal 

 The convert of revenge can feel. 



BYRON. 



