ROSE. 269 



Rose-bud just beginning to open ; if the lady accepted and wore 

 the bud, she was supposed to favor his pretensions. As time 

 increased the lover's affections, he followed up the first present 

 by that of a half-blown Rose, which was again succeeded by one 

 full-blown ; and if the lady wore this last, she was considered as 

 engaged for life. 



" Poetry is lavish of roses ; it heaps them into beds, weaves 

 them into crowns, twines them into arbors, forges them into 

 chains, adorns with them the goblet used in the festivals of 

 Bacchus, plants them in the bosom of beauty, nay, not only 

 delights to bring in the Rose itself upon every occasion, but 

 seizes each particular beauty it possesses as an object of com- 

 parison with the loveliest works of nature : as soft as a rose- 

 leaf; as sweet as a rose; rosy clouds; rosy cheeks; rosy 

 lips ; rosy blushes ; rosy dawns, &c., &c. It is commonly 

 united with the Lily : 



' In the time that the morning did strew Roses and Violets on the heavenly 

 floor against the coming of the sun.' 



1 A bed of Lilies flower upon her cheek, 

 And in the midst was set a circling Rose.' 



' Rosed all in lovely crimson are thy cheeks, 

 Where beauties indeflourishing abide, 

 And as to pass his fellow either seeks, 

 Seem both to blush at one another's pride.' 



" The Red Rose is said to have been indebted for its color to 

 the blood which flowed from the thorn-wounded feet of Venus 

 when running through the woods in despair for the loss of 

 Adonis ; as the White Rose is also said to have sprung from 

 the tears which the goddess shed upon that occasion. Ample 

 reasons these for dedicating them to her. 



' White as the native Rose before the change, 

 Which Venus' blood did in her leaves impress.' 



" Anacreon tells us that it was dyed with nectar by the gods 



23* 



