260 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



his own sword, he fell under the shade of this tree ; 

 Thisbe, finding him in this situation, followed his ex- 

 ample, and their blood, flowing about the roots of the tree, 

 was absorbed by them, and gave colour to the fruit : 



" Arborei foetus aspergine caedis in atrara 



Vertuntur faciem : madefactaque sanguine radix 

 Puniceo tingit pendentia mora colore." 



OviD;, lib. iv. 



Dark in the rising tide the berries grew. 

 And, white no longer, took a sable hue ; 

 But brighter crimson springing from the root. 

 Shot through the black, and purpled o'er the fruit." 



Orger's Translation. 



Cowley has spoken of the Mulberry tree at some 

 length, and gives so correct an account of it, that, poorly 

 as his poem has been translated, the reader will probably 

 net object to the quotation of the passage : 



" But cautiously the Mulberry did move. 

 And first the temper of the skies would prove ; 

 What sign the sun was in, and if she might 

 Give credit yet to winter's seeming flight : 

 She dares not venture on his first retreat. 

 Nor trusts her fruit or leaves to doubtful heat. 

 Her ready sap within her bark confines. 

 Till she of settled warmth has certain signs ! 

 Then, making rich amends for the delay. 

 With sudden haste she dons her green array ; 

 In two short months, her purple fruit appears. 

 And of two lovers slain the tincture wears. 

 \ Her fruit is rich, but she doth leaves produce 



Of far- surpassing worth, and noble use. 

 ********* 



* * * * * * . * * * . 



* * * * They supply 

 The ornaments of royal luxury : 



