ROSE-BUSH. 381 



" Di.ligustri, di gigli, e delle rose 



Le quai fiorian per quelle piagge amene, 

 Con nuov' arte congiunte indi compose 

 Lente, ma tenacissime catene : 

 Queste al collo, alle braccia, a i pie gli pose." 



TASSO, Canto 14. 



" Of privet, lilies, and of roses sweet, 



Which proudly flow'red through that wanton plain, 

 All platted fast, well knit, and joined meet, 

 She framed a soft, but surely holding chain, 

 Wherewith she bound his neck, his hands, and feet." 



FAIRFAX'S TRANSLATION. 



Fairfax translates ligustri woodbines : but when a foreign 

 witness is brought into court, as Tasso is upon this 

 occasion, it is but common justice to see that he is cor- 

 rectly interpreted. Suppose it had pleased the English 

 poet to change Roses into turnips, what would have be- 

 come of our cause ? 



We must indulge in one more quotation : 



" Ye lilies, and ye shrubs of snowy hue, 

 Jasmin as ivory pure, 

 Ye spotless graces of the shining field, 

 And thou, most lovely rose,' 

 Of tint most delicate, 

 Fair consort of the morn ; 

 Delighted to imbibe 

 The genial dew of heaven, 

 Rich vegetation's vermeil-tinctured gem ; 

 April's enchanting herald, 

 Thou flower supremely blest, 

 And queen of all the flowers, 

 Thou formest around my locks 

 A garland of such fragrance, 

 That up to Heaven itself 

 Thy balmy sweets ascend." 



ANDREINI'S ADAM. 



Our delicate Eglantine has been scarcely less honoured 

 by the poets than the more luxuriant Roses. It is usually 

 coupled with the Woodbine, as the Lily with the Rose, 



