320 FLOE A DOMESTICA. 



fine fruit, but also for its handsome leaves, exquisite blos- 

 soms, and delicious perfume. 



Mr. Moore gives a pleasant picture of the Orange-tree, 

 in his Paradise and the Peri. 



" Just then beneath some orange-trees, 

 Whose fruit and blossoms in the breeze 

 Were wantoning together, free, 

 Like age at play with infancy ." 



The Orange-tree is one of the very few which at once 

 delight us with the promise of spring, and the ripe luxu- 

 riance of summer. The poet tells us in his notes, that 

 from the Orange-trees of Kauzeroon the bees cull a cele- 

 brated honey. 



" In short 



All the sweet cups to which the bees resort, 

 With plots of grass, and perfumed walks between, 

 Of citron, honeysuckle, and jessamine, 

 With orange whose warm leaves so finely suit, 

 And look as if they 'd shade a golden fruit." 



STORY OF RIMINI. 



The orange upon its bough looks, indeed, like sunshine 

 playing in the shade ; its large green leaves have a happy 

 effect in softening its brilliancy, and nothing can better 

 harmonize than this fine fruit with its foliage. The poets 

 frequently speak of the leaves as of a shade to the orange : 



" He hangs in shade the orange bright, 

 Like golden lamps in a green night." 



ANDREW MARVELL. 



" Through the green shade the golden orange glows." 



ARMSTRONG. 



" Thus was this place 



A happy rural seat of various view : 



Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm ; 



Others whose fruit, burnished with golden rind, 



Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true, 



If true, here only, and of delicious taste." 



PARADISE LOST, Book Fourth. 



