FLORAL EMBLEMS. 253 



PRUDENCE. 



MOUNTAIN ASH. Sorbus aucu^aria. 



" The mountain ash, whose flower-fnTd boughs 



Spread like a cloud at noon ; 

 Whose shade is a haunted place 

 For the sweet airs of June. 



# * * * * * 



I wreathed amid thy hair 



Its berries, like the coral crown 



That the sea-maidens wear." 



L. E. L. 



This elegant tree seems to have been se- 

 lected as the emblem of prudence, from its 

 foliage being withheld until the equinoctial 

 winds have ceased to commit their devasta- 

 tions. 



Peacham says, " Under prudence is com- 

 prehended that discreet, apt, suiting and dis- 

 posing, as well of action as words, in their due 

 place, time, and manner." 



