FABLES OF FLORA. 
THE ROSE. 
‘ If Jove would give the leafy bowers 
A queen, from all their world of flowers, 
The Hose would be the choice of Jove, 
And blush, the queen of every grove.’ 
Sappho. 
The Rose is umveisally regarded as the em¬ 
blem of Beauty and Love. It was consecrated to 
Venus; and Cupid wore its freshest blooms. The 
origin of the red Rose has been variously ex¬ 
plained. Heathen mythology states, that Venus 
being wounded by its thorns, her blood flowed 
upon the flower, and changed it red. Spenser 
has adopted this explanation. 
1 White as the native Rose, before the change 
Which Venus’ blood did in her leaves impress.’ 
Another poet affirms, that young Eve, wander¬ 
ing in the bowers of Eden, marked ‘ an opening 
Rose, of purest white; 1 and that, stooping to kiss 
it, 
4 Straight it drew 
From Beauty’s lip the vermeil hue.’ 
