Chapter^III 



Use of Name and Figure 



IHE IRIS has been an inspiration not 

 alone to the poet but also to the artist and 

 the artisan. Its magic has touched the heart 

 and the head. It has served to express alike the feel- 

 ings of the lowly and the conceptions of the most 

 gifted. 



FLOWER LANGUAGE.— Named for the celestial 

 messenger, in flower-language the Iris signifies "a 

 message", or "a messenger"; sometimes, "ardor", 

 or "my compliments". 



To France, sweet Suffolk: let me hear from thee; 

 For whereso'er thou art in this world's globe, 

 I'll have an Iris that shall find thee out. 



Shakespeare: 2 King Henry VI . 



METAPHOR.— The Fleur-de-lis being an emblem 

 of royalty, the name "Fleur-de-lis" was sometimes 

 used for "Our Saviour". 



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