FUNERAL FLOWERS. 153 



own country, first giving a look into the Grecian 

 Archipelago, to see if we can trace any remains 

 of the floral customs of the ancient dwellers in 

 those " rocky islands of the JEgean sea." 

 Hush! tread softly through the " dusky cor- 

 ridor," and look into that dimly-lighted room ; 

 what see we there ? 'Tis the Corsair's bride 

 poor Medora ! stretched lifeless on the bier : 



" In life itself she was so still and fair, 

 That death with gentler aspect withered there ; 

 And the cold flowers her colder hand contained, 

 In that last grasp s-o tenderly were strained, 

 As if she scarcely felt, but feigned a sleep, 

 And made it almost mockery to weep." BYRON. 



In the Levant, then, we are told, by him who 

 drew this picture it is still the custom to strew 

 flowers on the bodies of the dead, and in the 

 hands of young persons to place a nosegay. 

 Can we not find a dirge for this heart-broken 

 lady ? Aye, here it is, very sweet and appro- 

 priate: 



"Weep not, weep not, she is dead, 



Cold and dreamless now she lyeth 

 Where the damp dull clay is spread, 



And the death-worm sigheth. 



