FLORAL EMBLEMS. 199 



LIFE. 



LUCERNE. Medicago Sativa. 



" Te quoque Medica putres, 



Accipiunt sulci." 



Virgil. 



This plant, so valuable to the agriculturalist, 

 is made the symbol of life, since it not only 

 flourishes in poor soil, but is so tenacious of 

 existence, that it assumes a vigorous and ver- 

 nal appearance in a few weeks after it has 

 felt the effects of the scythe. 



" When I consider life, 'tis all a cheat, 

 Yet fool'd by hope men favour the deceit, 

 Live on, and think to-morrow will repay ; 

 To-morrow's falser than the former day ; 

 Lies more ; and when it says we shall be blest 

 With some new joy, takes off what we possess. 

 Strange cozenage ! none would live past years again, 

 Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain ; 

 And from the dregs of life think to receive 

 What the first sprightly running could not give ; 

 I'm tir'd of waiting for this chemick gold, 

 Which fools us young, and beggars us when old." 



Dryden 



