68 Tall Bearded Iris 



Like as are reared within a tender cloud 

 Two parallel and self-same colored bows, 

 When Juno to her handmaid gives command. 



Dante: Paradiso. 



As large, as bright, as color'd as the bow 



Of Iris, when unfading it doth show 



Beyond a silvery shower, was the arch 



Through which this Paphian army took its march 



Into the outer courts of Neptune's state. 



Keats: Endyr, 



Is it a dream again or is it truth 



This vision fair of Greece inhabited? 



A fairer sight than all fair Iris sees 



Footing her airy arch of colors spun 



From Ida to Olympus, when she stays 



To look on Greece and thinks the sight is fair. 



Bridges: Prometheus 



And lo! the power that wakes the eventful song 

 Hastes hither from Lethean Banks along; 



* * * ^ * 



Pensive her look; on radiant wings, that glow 



Like Juno's birds or Iris' flaming bow, 



She sails; * * * 



Congenial sister of immortal Fame, 



She shares her power, and Memory is her name. 



Falconer: The Shipwreck. 



