JO Tall Bearded Iris 



With his broad hand the impending clouds he strains, 

 And forth in thunders burst descending rains. 

 Fair Iris, handmaid of the heavenly Queen, 

 In party-coloured robe overlooks the scene. 

 On clouds exhausted pours a fresh supply 

 And with new waters renovates the sky. 



Ovid: Metamorphoses. 



Iris there with humid bow 

 Waters the odorous banks, that blow 

 Flowers of more mingled hue 

 Than her purfled scarf can shew. 



Milton: Comus. 



There's crimson buds, and white and blue — 

 The very rainbow showers 

 Have turned to blossoms where they fell, 

 And sown the earth with flowers. 



Hood: Song — Lady. 



The legend runs that under her footsteps on earth 

 rose the flower that bears her name. 



And still before me in the dusky grass, 

 Iris her many-colored scarf had drawn. 



Shelley: Triumph of Life. 



Flow'rs over all the field, of every hue 

 That ever Iris wore, luxuriant grew. 



Cowper: Elegy III, tr. from Milton. 



