42 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
Mark well the flowering almond in the wood ; 
If odorous blooms the bearing branches load, 
The glebe will answer to the sylvan reign, 
Great heats will follow, and large crops of grain. 
But if a wood of leaves o'ershade the tree, 
Such and so barren will the harvest be, 
In vain the hind shall vex the threshing floor, 
For empty straw and chaff will be thy store. 
Dryden's Virgil. 
Fable confers an affecting origin on this tree. It 
relates that Demophoon, son of Theseus and Phaedra, 
in returning from the siege of Troy, was thrown by 
a storm on the shores of Thrace, where then reigned 
the beautiful Phyllis. The young queen graciously 
received the prince, fell in love with him, and be- 
came his wife. When recalled to Athens by his 
father's death, Demophoon promised to return in a 
month, and fixed the day. The affectionate Phyllis 
counted the hours of his absence, and at last the 
appointed day arrived. Nine times she repaired to 
the shore ; but, losing all hope of his return, she 
dropped down dead with grief, and was turned into 
an Almond-tree. Three months afterwards, Demo- 
phoon returned. Overwhelmed with sorrow, he of- 
fered a sacrifice at the sea-side, to appease the manes 
of his bride. She seemed to sympathise with his 
