AMARANTH. 19 



years, particularly if they are not exposed to the sun. A 

 friend of the writer's possesses some Amaranths, both 

 purple and yellow, which he has had by him for several 

 years, enclosed with some locks of hair in a little marble 

 urn. They look as vivid as if they were put in yesterday ; 

 and it may be added, that they are particularly suited to 

 their situation. They remind us of Milton's use of the 

 Amaranth, when speaking of the multitude of angels as- 

 sembled before the Deity : 



" to the ground 



With solemn adoration down they cast 

 Their crowns inwove with amaranth and gold ; 

 Immortal amaranth, a flower which once 

 In Paradise., fast by the tree of life, 

 Began to bloom, but soon for man's offence 

 To heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows 

 And flowers aloft, shading the fount of life, 

 And where the river of bliss through midst of heaven 

 Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream ; 

 With these that never fade, the spirits elect 

 Bind their resplendent locks enwreathed with beams ; 

 Now in loose garlands thick thrown off, the bright 

 Pavement, that like a sea of jasper shone, 

 Impurpled with celestial roses smiled." 



The following occurs in Shelley's Rosalind and Helen : 



" Whose sad inhabitants each year would come, 

 With willing steps climbing that rugged height, 

 And hang long locks of hair, and garlands bound 

 With amaranth flowers, which, in the clime's despite, 

 Filled the frore air with unaccustomed light. 

 Such flowers as in the wintery memory bloom 

 Of one friend left, adorned that frozen tomb." 



Moore too speaks of them as being used for the hair, a 

 purpose for which they are peculiarly well adapted : 

 ec Amaranths such as crown the maids 

 That wander through Zamara's shades *." 



* " The people of the Batta country, in Sumatra, or Zamara, when 

 not engaged in war, lead an idle inactive life, passing the day in play- 



