FLORA'S LEXICON. 



205 



HORN APPLE. Datura. Class 5, PENT- 

 ANDRIA. Order: MONOGYNIA. The flow- 

 ers of the datura languish beneath their 

 sombre and drooping foliage while the sun 

 shines ; but at the approach of night they 

 put forth, and are reanimated. Then they 

 display their charms and unfold those im- 

 mense bell-shaped petals which nature has formed of ivory and 

 stained with purple, and to which she has confided a perfume 

 that attracts and invigorates, but is so dangerous, that it pro- 

 duces ebriety and hysterics, even in the open air, on those who 

 respire it. 



DECEITFUL CHARMS. 



Oh, what a wild and wayward child am I ! 



Like the hungry fool, that in his moody fit 



Dash'd from his lips his last delicious morsel. 



I'll see her once, Bianca, and but once; 



And then a rich and breathing tale I'll tell her 



Of our full happiness. If she be angel, 



'Twill be a gleam of Paradise to her, 



And she '11 smile at it one of those soft smiles, 



That makes the air seem sunny, blithe, and balmy. 



If she be devil Nay, but that's too ugly; 



The fancy doth rebel at it, and shrink 



As from a serpent in a knot of flowers. 



Devil and Aldabella ! Fie ! They sound 



Like nightingales and screech-owls heard together. 



What! must I still have tears to kiss away? 



I will return Good night! It is but once. 



See, thou 'st the taste o' my lips now at our parting ; 



And when we meet again, if they be tainted, 



Thou shalt oh no, thou shall not, canst not hate me. 



MlLMAN. 



18 



