Origin of Names 71 



Thou knowest not the parching 

 Of summer's cruel drought; 

 Thou seest not the marching 

 Of snows in winter rout; 

 But thine the emerald sod is, 

 And flowery cups that brim, 

 amaranthine goddess. 

 Beneath the rainbow rim! 



For thee dusk sun-rays pencil 

 The sloping of the wold, 

 For thee fair lilies stencil 

 The ancient cloth of gold. 

 Of Tyrian hue thy bodice. 

 Thy crown the dewdrops trim, 

 O amaranthine goddess, 

 Beneath the rainbow rim! 



The breezes all pursue thee, 

 Moved by thy virgin pride. 

 Great Pan himself doth woo thee. 

 And seek thee for his bride. 

 The spot where thou hast trod is 

 A jewel cast to him, 

 O amaranthine goddess. 

 Beneath the rainbow rim! 



C. E. D. Phelps: Iris. 



Anciently her name was given to this genus on 

 account of the bright and varied colors of its flowers. 



Nor Iris in her glorious rainbow clothed 

 So fulgent as the cheerful gardens shine 

 With their bright offspring, when they're in their bloom. 



Columella: De Rustica X . 



