210 THE POETRY OF FLOWERS 
SKILL. 
SPIDER-ORPHRYS. 
According to ancient fable Arachne was very skilful in spin¬ 
ning and weaving, and dared to defy Minerva in the exercise of 
those arts. The offended goddess changed the imprudent 
Arachne into a spider, which, according to Guillim, is free of 
the Weavers’ Company. The spider-orphrys closely resembles 
the insect which, under a hideous form, still retains its skill and 
address. 
He plucks the pearls that stud the deep, 
Admiring beauty’s lap to fill; 
He breaks the stubborn marble’s sleep, 
And mocks his own Creator’s skill. 
Sprague. 
SLEEP OF THE HEART. 
WHITE POPPY. 
There poppies white and violets, 
Alcippus on the altar sets 
Of quiet sleep ; and weaves a crown 
To bring the gentle godhead down. 
Fracastorio. 
An insipid oil is expressed from the grains of the white pop¬ 
py, which calms the senses and provokes sleep. 
The palace of Somnus, who presided over sleep, was repre¬ 
sented as a dark cave, into which the sun’s rays never penetra- 
