NARCISSUS. 303 



strong winds, which would otherwise be apt to break the 

 stems, particularly after rains ; when their cups, being filled 

 with water, will be more heavy : 



" All as a lily pressed with heavy rain, 



Which fills her cups with showers up to the brinks, 



The weary stalk no longer can sustain 



The head, but low beneath the burden sinks." 



P. FLETCHER. 



They will thrive best in a south-eastern exposure, where 

 the morning sun may dry off the moisture which has lodged 

 upon them during the night ; and they will better preserve 

 their beauty there than in the shade, or in the scorching 

 heat of the afternoon sun. 



Armstrong notices the destructive effect of the easterly 

 winds upon the Narcissus : in common indeed with all other 

 flowers, for those must be very hardy that can bear an ex- 

 posure to them without injury : 



" As when the chilling east invades the spring, 

 The delicate narcissus pines away 

 In hectic languor, and a slow disease 

 Taints all the family of flowers, condemned 

 To cruel heavens." 



The poetical origin of this flower, and its own beauty, 

 have conspired to obtain for it the notice of some of the 

 greatest poets. The story told at length in Ovid's Meta- 

 morphoses, of the transformation of Narcissus into a flower, 

 is too well known to need, and too long to admit of, in- 

 sertion. 



The Naiades, lamenting the death of Narcissus, prepare 

 a funeral pile, but his body is missing 



" Instead whereof a yellow flower was found, 

 With tufts of white about the button crown'd." 



SANDYS' s OVID. 



' ' What first inspired a bard of old to sing 

 Narcissus pining o'er the untainted spring ? 



