176 
THE LAVENDER. 
the flower to “ suspicion,” on account of the 
suspicion with which it was always approach¬ 
ed in the East, on account of its being 
supposed to be the residence of the asp, 
“ Whose venom’d bite 
Th’ Egyptian Cleopatra slew.” 
We must, however, take the authority of 
Shakspeare before that of Eastern tradition. 
ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. 
The sun’s last rays began to fade 
Within the glowing west ; 
The lover, with his chosen maid. 
Far from the haunts of man had stray’d. 
To ease his burden’d breast, 
Ry gently whispering in her ears 
The many anxious doubts and fears 
By which he was distress’d, 
Till softly in the sky of blue 
The silvery moon arose to view; 
