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FLORA'S LEXICON. 



149 





ARCISSUS. Narcissus Poeticus. Class 

 6, HEXANDRIA. Order : MONOGYNIA. The 



poet's narcissus exhales a very agreeable 

 perfume ; it bears a golden crown in 1 1 

 centre of its pure white petals, which ex- 

 pand quite flat, the stem slightly inclining 

 to one side. The cup or nectary in the 

 centre, which is very short, is frequently bordered with a bright 

 purple circle, and sometimes the nectary is edged with crimson. 

 Ovid, in his Metamorphoses, tells us of the fate of the lovely 

 and coy Narcissus. A thousand nymphs loved the handsome 

 youth, but suffered the pains of unrequited love. Viewing him- 

 self in the crystal fount, he became enamoured of his own image. 



EGOTISM. 



How beautiful art thou, my winter Flower ! 

 Lifting with graceful pride thy stately head, 

 Heavy with its rich crown of pearl and gold: 

 Thou sheddest on the air such soft perfume, 

 That I could deem 't was incense, gently flung 

 Before thy beauty's shrine by some fair sprite 

 Enamour'd of thy maiden loveliness. 

 The hyacinth and violet entwined 

 Have scarce so sweet an odour. 



Thanks, my Flower, 

 My gentle, kind companion for to me 

 Thy silence is most eloquent: I love 

 Thy quiet steadfast gaze, as, o'er my desk, 

 The long day through thou hast seem'd watching mo. 

 And ever and' anon, in glancing up, 

 I still have met thy calm unchanging look 

 Reminding me, in silence, of the friend 

 Whose gift thou wert to me. 



TWAMLEY. 



