FUNERAL FLOWERS. 
153 
own country, first giving a look into the Grecian 
A rchipelago, to see if we can trace any remains 
of the floral customs of the ancient dwellers in 
those (t rocky islands of the JEgean sea.” 
Hush! tread softly through the u dusky cor¬ 
ridor,” and look into that dimly-lighted room ; 
what see we there ? ’Tis the Corsair’s bride— 
poor Medora !—stretched lifeless on the bier :—■ 
“ In life itself she was so Still and fair, 
That death with gentler aspect withered there; 
And the cold flowers her colder hand contained, 
In that last grasp so tenderly were strained, 
As if she scarcely felt, but feigned a sleep, 
And made it almost mockery to weep.”— Byron. 
In the Levant, then, we are told, by him who 
drew this picture—it is still the custom to strew 
flowers on the bodies of the dead, and in the 
hands of young persons to place a nosegay. 
Can we not find a dirge for this heart-broken 
lady ? Aye, here it is, very sweet and appro¬ 
priate:— 
“Weep not, weep not, she is dead, 
Cold and dreamless now shelyeth 
Where the damp dull clay is spread, 
And the death-worm sigheth. 
