^ 



i 



J^r^thmsa. 



1 



^ICtljUSa bulbasa. Natural Oudek: Orchidacccv— Orchis Family. 



AMP places, such as swamps and low, marshy meadows, are 



-\ the chosen retreats of this beautiful plant. Each plant bears 



('''one handsome, large, fragrant flower, of a rich purple hue. 



;Il' It derives its name from Arethusa, a nymph of great beauty, 



,h() served in the suit of the goddess Diana. She attracted the 



attention of the river-god Alpheus, while bathing in his river, the 



Alpheius of Arcadia. He immediately fell in love with her perfections, 



and she fled away abashed. To save her from his pursuit, she was 



changed by Diana into a fountain. 



'X'HE clouds dispeird, the skv resum'd her light, 



And nature stood recover'd of her fright, 

 But fear, the last of ills, remain'd behind, 

 And horror heavy sat on every mind. —Dryden. 



A RETHUSA arose 



From her couch of snows, 

 In the Acroceraunian mountains, — 

 From cloud and from crag 

 With many a jag. 

 Shepherding her bright fountains. 

 She leapt down the rocks 

 With her rainbow locks 

 Streaming among the streams; — 



Her steps paved with green 



The downward ravine 

 Which slopes to the western gleams; 



And gliding and springing, 



She went ever singing 

 In murmurs as soft as sleep; 



The earth seemed to love her. 



And heaven above her. 

 As she lingered toward the deep. 



TJIS hand did quake 



And tremble like a leaf of aspen green. 

 And troubled blood through his pale face w.- 

 As it a running messenger had been. 



i seen, 



TTIS fear was greater than his haste; 



For fear, though fleeter than the v 



Believes 'tis alwavs left behind. _; 



T 



HOI' Shalt be 



punish'd for thus frighting me, 

 ; and capable of fears; 

 Oppress'd with wrongs, and therefore full of fears. 

 — Shakespeare, 



