NARCISSUS 
47 
flowers in May. The cup in the center is supposed to 
contain the tears of tlu ill fated Narcissus. ELeats 
terms it “ a lovely flower : ” 
“ A meek and forlorn flower, with nought of pride.” 
And Shelley speaks thus of it: 
“ The pied windflowers and the tulip tall. 
And Narcissi, the fairest among them all, 
Who gaze on their eyes in the stream’s recess, 
Till they die at their own dear loveliness.” 
ECHO AND NARCISSUS. 
MILTON. 
Sweet Echo, sweetest nymph, that liv’st unseen 
Within thy airy shell, 
By slow Meander’s margent green, 
And in the violet-embroidered vale, 
Where the love-lorn nightingale 
Nightly to thee her sad song mourneth well; 
Canst thou not tell me of a gentle pair 
That likest thy Narcissus are ? 
0, if thou have 
Hid them in some flowery cave, 
Tell me but where, 
Sweet queen of parley, daughter of the sphere, 
So mayest thou he translated to the skies, 
And give resounding grace to all heaven s harmonies. 
