POMEGRANATE. 335 



fact that the young beauty, when wandering in Plato's 

 garden, plucked 



" A ripe pomegranate, from whose pallid core 

 To her red lips seven seeds the damsel bore." 



Proserpine returned the civihties of her babbling foe 

 by transforming him to an owl, and poor Ceres was com- 

 pelled to accept of Pluto for a son-in-law. 

 Harte compares its blossom to the rose : 



" The punic-granate opes its rose-like flowers." 



And Lord Byron promotes it to the rose's dwelling- 

 place : 



On her fair cheek's unfading hue 



The young pomegranate's blossoms strew 



Their bloom;, in blushes ever new." 



Rapin compares the interior of the fruit to a honey- 

 comb : 



" Succeeding fruits attend the blossom's fall. 

 Each represents a crov;n upon a ball ; 

 A thousand seeds with Tyrian scarlet dyed. 

 And ranged by Nature's art in cells they hide. 

 As when industrious bees, with frugal care, 

 A waxen kingdom for their stock prepare, 

 On twigs first lay foundations for their combs. 

 Then mark the shining fabric into rooms : 

 For every seed his cell and order holds. 

 Whilst a thick rind the juicy fruit enfolds : 

 Grateful to taste, their mingled flavours meet. 

 Nor rudely sharp nor yet too luscious sweet." 



Rapin proceeds to tell a story of the origin of this 

 fruit, which was formerly, he says, an ambitious beauty, 

 who being anxious to learn her future destiny, was an- 



