226 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
AMARANTH. 
IMMOHTALITT. 
The unfading nature of this flower has caused it 
to be made the emblem of immortality. It is men- 
tioned by Milton as forming the diadem of the 
angels : — 
With solemn adoration down they cast 
Their crowns, inwove with amaranth and gold — 
Immortal Amaranth, a flower which once 
In Paradise, fast by the tree of life, 
Began to bloom, but soon, for man's offence, 
To heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows 
And flowers aloft, shading the font of life, 
And where the river of bliss, through midst of heaven 
Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream ; 
With these that never fade the spirits elect 
Bind their resplendent locks, inwrealh'd with beams. 
The Amaranth has also been placed among 
funeral flowers. Homer describes the Thessalians 
as wearing crowns of Amaranth at the funeral of 
Achilles. 
