resemblance of my petals to a chess-board; but I 
much prefer the other name. Both remind me of 
happier days, when in my own country I was hon¬ 
ored as becomes my rank and figure ;—for chess is 
a royal game, which was invented to amuse a Per¬ 
sian king. In that land I was taught how to pre¬ 
serve my dignity. The kings of Persia were the 
first kings in the world who felt it beneath them to 
be approached by common people. They are wor¬ 
shipped by great lords on bended knee. 
“ The Hyacinth talks of her love for the sun; 
but she gazes upon him with very little respect. I 
have too much self-respect to boast, but it is not 
modest or becoming to gaze so. I never turn to¬ 
wards the sun, till he bids me look upon him, but 
reverently veil my face till the season arrives when 
my seeds must ripen in his rays. 
“ Do you observe the silvery stripes upon the 
