VISITATION TIDE. 185 



JULY 3. St. Phccas, martyr, a.d. 303. 

 St. Guthagon, recluse. 

 St. Gunthiern, abbot, 6th cent. 

 St. Bertran, bishop, 6th cent. 



Ohs. St. Phocas dwelt near the gate of Sinope, and lived by cul- 

 tivalhicr a garden. Though his profession was obscure, he was well 

 known over the whole of the country by the reputation of his charity 

 and virtue. When a cruel persecution, probal)ly that of Dioclesian 

 in 303, was suddenly raised in the church, executioners were dis- 

 patched with an order to kill Phocas on the spot wherever they 

 should find him. They stopped at his own house without knowing 

 it : he received them with his usual hospitality, and, after preparing 

 himself, he discovered to them that he was the man whom they were 

 in search of ; after recovering from their surprise, they struck oflT his 

 head. 



Hedge Bindweed Convolvulus sepiumH. 

 Field Mallow Malva Sylvestris full fl. 

 Corn Campion Agrostemma Githago full fl. 

 Musk Rose Rosa moschata fullest fl. 

 Scotch Bellflower Campanula repunculoides ^. 



The Damask Rose, which is a Red Rose, and the jMusk Rose, 

 have both been favourites with the poets, and have been singled out 

 as Roses of peculiar elegance. The old song of '' A Bee within 

 a Damask Rose" is well known, as is the Scottish song beginning. 

 Ask if yon Damask Rose is sweet 



That scents the summer air, 

 And ask each shepherd that you meet 

 If sweet Susanna's fair. 



Milton associates the Blusk Rose with the choicest flowers which 

 he calls for to deck the Laureat Urn of Lycidas : 



And call tlie vales, and bid them hither cast 



Their l>ellsan(l flowerets of a thousand hues. 



Ye valleys low, where the mild whispeis nse 



Of shades, and wanton winds, and gushintr brooks. 



On whose fresh lap the swart star sparely looks, 



Throw hither all yonr quaint enamelled eyes. 



That on the green turf suck the honied showers. 



And purple all the j^round with vernal flowers ; 



Bring the rathe Primrose, that forsaken dies. 



The tufted Crowtoe, and pale Jessamine, 



The. white Pink, and tlie Pansy freaked with jet; 



The glowing Piony, and Violet, 



The Musk Rose, and the well attired Woodbine ; 



With Cowslips wan that hang the pensive head, 



And every flower that sad embroidery wears. 



Bid Aniaianthus all his beauty shed. 



And Uaffodillis fill their cups with tears, 



To strew the laureate hearse where Lycidas lies. 



R2 



