AND FLOWERS OF POETRY. 155 
l 
It grows wild on the coast of Persia, and is common in Chi¬ 
na. The celebrated specimen in Pope’s garden at Twickenham, 
is said to have been the first introduced into England ; but this 
we believe to be erroneous. The poet chanced to he present 
on the opening of a package which came from Spain, and ob¬ 
serving that the sticks had some vegetation, fancied they might 
produce something which we did not possess in England. 
With this idea he planted a cutting, from which sprang the j 
parent-tree of many of our finest and most admired specimens. I 
How vain the task to wake my lyre 
To rapture’s thrill, with passion’s fire, 
While sorrow o’er my Aeari-strings plays, 
With trembling touch, her saddest lays ! 
f. s- o. 
MELANCHOLY SPIRIT. 
SORROWFUL GERANIUM. 
Few know that elegance of soul refined, 
Whose soft sensation feels a quicker joy 
From melancholy’s scenes, than the dull pride 
Of tasteless splendour and magnificence 
Can e’er afford. 
Warton. 
This charming geranium, like a melancholy spirit, shuns the 
light of day ; but it enchants those who cultivate it by the de¬ 
lightful perfumes it exhales. 
