A GROUP OF ROSES. 



The Rose (Rosa) is esteemed as a Spring Flower, whose attendants have been before de- 

 scnbed, and she moves at the head of this long procession of vegetable beauties, pouring out 

 her meense to I lor A , with all the graee and dignity of majesty. Nature has given her a vest 

 of purest white, and also imperial robes of the brightest searlet; and that no rude hand should 

 tear her from her rich domain, she is protected by myriads of soldiers, who present on everv 

 side their naked and sharp swords against the daring invader. 



This flower is ranked of the class Polyandria, order Polygynia, of Limueus. 



Not the bright sun-flow Ys top of bumish'd gold, 



The yellow jonquil, vary-colour'd pink, 



The lily dress'd with innocence and grace, 



The wild-born daisy, and the violet blue, 



Or the fair primrose, that at spring's advance 



Seems to grow pale, when from her green lap thrown 



So many glitt'ring rivals rise around; 



Not the sweet twining woodbine, heart's-ease rich 



Purpled with gold-dropt velvet, or the fair, 



But humble snow-drop, beaming through the mist 



Like the big tear for lov'd Adonis slain, 



Through the fring'd eye-lids of the Queen of Love ! 



Catch my admiring eye, like thy pure flow V, 



Emblem of infant innocence, sweet Rose! 



Hunt. 



The Red Rose is styled the Queen of Flowers in a charming Arabic Ode* by Hafiz. 



Now is the season, Roses gay 

 Light purple-tinctur'd blooms display : 

 When fathers thus their sons invite 

 To the fair bowers of delight, 

 " Time will your sprightliness destroy, 

 " Then give the present hours to joy; 









* This translation is from the Latin of Sir William Jones. It is worthy of observation, that the trade from Persia to the East Indies 

 consists chiefly of Nightingales in cages, which bird is not to be met with in an v parts of India. 







