THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
29 
soon, as if its efforts were vain, it falls gracefully down 
again, and crowns him with perfumed festoons. Thus 
Love sometimes unites a timid girl to a proud warrior. 
Unhappy Desdemona ! the admiration of strength and 
courage, and the feeling of helplessness, attached thy 
heart to the terrible Othello ; but jealousy struck thee 
in the very arms which should have protected thee. 
And thou, gentle and humble La Valliere, the love of 
the greatest monarch alone could subjugate thy poor 
heart, and draw it away from virtue. Poor vine ! the 
wind of inconstancy soon deprived thee of that dear 
prop ; but thou didst never trail on the ground — thy 
heart, raising its affections to heaven, carried its ten¬ 
der homage to Him who alone is worthy of eternal 
love. 
3* 
