286 FLORAL EMBLEMS. 



SORROWFUL REMEMBRANCES. 



ADONIS. Adonis. 



" Adonis dont la vie eut des termes si courts 



Qui fut pleure des ris, qui fut plaint des amours." 



La Fontaine. 



Fable tells us that Adonis stained with his 

 blood the flower that bears his name, and 

 hence it has been made the emblem of sor- 

 rowful remembrances. 



" Then on the blood sweet nectar she bestows, 

 The scented blood in little bubbles rose : 

 Little as rain drops, which fluttering fly, 

 Born by the winds along a low'ring sky. 

 Short time ensu'd, till where the blood was shed, 

 A flow'r began to rear its purple head." 



Eusden's Ovid. _ 



Some poets make this flower symbolical 

 of the chase, in allusion to Adonis's love of 

 hunting. 



" On the discolour'd grass Adonis lay, 



The monster trampling o'er his beautious prey. 



# * * * # 



Yet dares not Venus with a change surprise, 

 And in a flow'r bid her fall'n hero rise." 



