AND FLOWERS OF POETRY. 165 
MY REGRETS FOLLOW YOU TO THE 
GRAVE. 
ASPHODEL. 
The yellow and white species of this elegant plant are of 
very easy culture, and increase rapidly. The latter species 
covers immense tracts of land in Apulia, and affords very good 
nourishment to the sheep. 
It was sacred to Proserpine, and anciently used in funeral 
ceremonies ; and it was believed that, beyond the Acheron, the 
shades of the departed walked in vast meadows of Asphodel, 
where they drank the waters of oblivion. 
Bright be the place of thy soul ! 
No lovelier spirit than thine 
E’er burst from its mortal control, 
In the orbs of the blessed to shine. 
On earth thou wert all but divine, 
As thy soul shall immortally be; 
And our sorrows may cease to repine, 
When we know that thy God is with thee. 
Byron. 
