THE BEE OPHRYS. 



Then with a smile that filled the house with light — 

 ' My errand is not Death, but Life,' he said ; 

 And, ere I answered, passing out of sight, 

 On his celestial embassy he sped. 



'Twas at thy door, O friend, and not at mine, 



The angel with the Amaranthine wreath. 

 Pausing, descended ; and, with voice divine. 



Whispered a word that had a sound of Death. 



Then fell upon the house a sudden gloom — 

 A shadow on those features fair and thin ; 



And softly, from that hushed and darkened room, 

 Two angels issued, where but one went in.'' 



Does the writer wish to imply that the Asphodel typifies this 

 present Life, a season of disappointments and regrets, while 

 the Amaranth represents Death, as the period which grants 

 to the prepared spirit an entrance into Life immortal } 



THE BEE OPHRYS (0. a/«>ra).— Error. 



" See, Delia, see this image bright ! why starts my fair one at the sight? 

 It mounts not on offensive wing, nor threats thy breast with angry sting ; 

 Admire, as close the insect lies, its thin-wrought plume and honey'd 



thighs, 

 Whilst on this flow'ret's velvet breast, it seems as though 'twere lull'd to 



rest. 

 Nor might its fairy wings unfold, enchain'd in aromatic gold : 

 Think not to set the captive free, 'tis but the picture of a bee." — Snow. 



This is one of the most remarkably beautiful of our 

 indigenous orchids. Its ordinary habitat is in open meadows, 

 by woodsides, on chalky soils. It is found, but sparingly, 



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