ROSE. 151 



it on the tomb, and Luxury spreads it on the 

 couch. It is mingled with our tears, and 

 spread in our gayest walks ; in epitaphs it 

 expresses youthful modesty and chastity, 

 whilst in the songs of the Bacchanalians their 

 god is compared to this flower. The beauty 

 of the morning is allegorically represented 

 by this flower, and Aurora is depictured 

 strewing roses before the chariot of Phoebus. 



" When morning paints the orient skies, 

 Her fingers burn with roseate dyes," 



It is thought to have given name to the 

 Holy Land where Solomon sang its praise, as 

 Syria appears to be derived from SurU a beau- 

 tiful and delicate species of rose, for which 

 that country has always been famous ; and 

 hence called Suristan (the Land of Roses).* 



" Each common bush shall Syrian roses wear." 



Virgil. 



" Now, upon Syria's land of roses 



Softly the light of eve reposes." T. Moore. 



Forster says, " the rose of Kashmire for its 

 brilliancy and delicacy of odour has long been 

 proverbial in the East." 



* Richardson. 

 L 4 



