THE ROSE. 



harmonious outlines with delight. But how can we describe 

 the rounded sections which form her entirety, the lovely tints 

 so delicately laid upon her, the sweet perfume which she 

 sends forth ? Behold her, in the Spring, raising herself softly 

 amid her elegant foliage, surrounded by her many buds ; 

 one might say that the Queen of flowers sports with the air 

 which plays around her, that she adorns herself with diamond- 

 like drops of dew which bathe her, that she smiles at the 

 sun's rays which persuade her to display her charms. Nature 

 seems to have exhausted her resources, in order to lavish 

 upon her to excess, freshness, beauty of form, perfume, 

 splendour, and loveliness. The Rose decorates the whole 

 earth ; she is one of the most common of flowers. 



On the day that the beauty of the Rose is perfected, it 

 begins to fade ; but each succeeding Spring restores her to 

 us fresh and new. Poets have sung of her charms in vain ; 

 they have not made her praises grow old or become weari- 

 some ; and her name of itself keeps their productions fresh 

 and attractive. The emblem of every age ; the interpreter 

 of all our sentiments; the Rose is mixed up with our 

 festivals, with our joys and our sorrows. Innocent mirth 

 crowns herself with Roses ; simple modesty borrows her 

 blushing tints ; and we bestow a wreath of Roses as the 

 reward of virtue. The Rose is the image of youth, in- 

 nocence, and harmless pleasure. She belongs to Venus, 

 and even is the rival of her beauty ; the Rose possesses, 

 like her, charms more lovely than beauty. Moore has sung 

 rapturously of the Rose, 



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