The Poet's Narcissus 



other hand by the yellow and green within. 

 We care greatly more for a little red on 

 white than for white on an expanse of 

 redness. 



In its general expression the Narcissus 

 seems a type of maiden purity and beauty, 

 yet warmed by a love-breathing fragrance. 

 And then what innocence in the large soft 

 eye, which few can rival amongst the 

 whole tribe of flowers. The narrow yet 

 vivid fringe of red, so clearly seen amidst 

 the whiteness, suggests again the idea of 

 purity enshrining passion — purity with a 

 heart which can kindle into fire. The 

 leaves of this Narcissus are less finished 

 than those of the Daffodil, so that the 

 whole attention is concentrated upon the 

 flower. Yet their tint affords a good 

 support for the blossom. And we may 

 observe that the Narcissus is one of those 

 few flowers which improve with age, the 

 petals seeming to get larger, and the ex- 

 pression of the eye softer, till the blossom 

 absolutely withers. The effect of the eye 

 is best seen by transmitted light. Put a 

 few flowers in the window, and look at 

 them as you sit in the room. 



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