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THE LOVER’S OFFERING, 
pierced our Saviour’s side; the tendrils—the cords 
that bound his hands, or the whips that scourged 
him; the ten petals—the apostles, Judas having 
betrayed, and Peter deserted; the pillars in the 
centre—the cross or tree; the stamina—the hammer; 
the style—the nails; the inner circle around the 
centre pillar—the crown of thorns; the radiance— 
the glory; the white in the flower—the emblem of 
purity; and the blue—the type of heaven. On one 
species, the pasiflora altar, even drops of blood are 
seen upon the cross or tree. This flower continues 
three days open, and then disappears, thus denoting 
the resurrection. 
—<!<><§>■!— 
THE PASSION FLOWER. 
All beauteous flower! whose centre glows 
With studs of gold ; thence streaming flows 
Ray-like effulgence; next is seen 
A rich expanse of varying hue, 
Enfring’d with an empurpl’d blue, 
And streak’d with young Pomona’s green. 
High o’er the pointal deck’d with gold, 
(Emblem mysterious to behold !) 
A radiant cross its form expands; 
Its opening arms appear t’ embrace 
The all collective human race, 
Refuge of all men, in all lands. 
