PASSIFLORA QUADRANGULARIS; 



OR, 



QUADRANGULAR PASSION FLOWER. 



Th,s climbing plant, introduced from Jamaica into our gardens in 1768, by Ptnhp M.ller .a 

 supposed ,o be a variety of the A.ata, or winged Passion-flower. Like it, the stem .s quadrangular 

 and winged, as the shaft of an arrow; and if it be allowed to use the same fancy as Lmnseus 

 sometimes indulged, we should conjecture it to be an hybr.o, betwixt the common blue Pass.on- 

 flier, and the llata. or winged. The involucre most reaemb.es the Uue "« *^ 

 per calyx, and petals of the corolla, the ** the radiance lies flat on the corolla as with the 

 ZL; but in Le, and configuration, resembles most the atata; whilst the mnerpart o the no- 

 tary, and stamina, bear an higher affinity to the +* The leaf also ^^^^ 

 ,he tendril. As with the other Passion Flowers, it brings to m.nd the Mystenes of our rehgton. 



At length the fated term of many years 

 The world's desire have brought, and lo! a God appears.. . . 

 The Heav'nly babe the Virgin mother bears, 

 And her fond looks confess the parent's cares; 

 The pleasing burden on her breast she lays, 

 Hangs o'er his charms, and with a tear surveys; 

 The infant smiles, to her fond bosom prest, 

 And wantons, sportive, on the mother's breast; 

 A radiant glory speaks him all divine, 

 And in the Child the beams of Godhead shine- 

 Now time, alas ! far other views disclose. . . 

 The blackest comprehensive scene of woes. 

 See where man's voluntary sacrifice; 

 He bows his head, and God, the Saviour, dies!... 

 Fixt to the cross, his healing arms are bound, 

 While copious mercy streams from every wound: 

 Mark the blood-drops that life exhausted roll, 

 And the strong Pang, that rends the yielding soul! 

 As all death's tortures, with severe delay, 

 Exult and riot in the noblest prey:... 

 Lo! the bright Sun, his chariot backward drivn, 

 Blots out the day, and perishes from Heav'n: 

 Earth, trembling from her entrails, bears a part, 

 And the rent Rock upbraids man's stubborn heart. 

 The yawning Grave reveals his gloomy reign, 

 And the cold clay-clad Dead start into life again! 



LOWTH. 





