80 FABLES OF FLORA. 
TULIP AND MYRTLE. 
The Tulip is an Eastern flower. l ^he Per¬ 
sians hold a tradition that the Tulip first sprang 
from the soil moistened with the blood of Fershod, 
the celebrated lover of Shereen.’ 
The tulip, as well as the crown imperial, is the 
emblem of pride; though in Persia it is used to 
signify perfect love. ‘ When a young man pre¬ 
sents one of these flowers to his mistress, he gives 
her to understand, by the general color of the 
flower, that he is on fire with her beauty; and, 
by the black base of it, that his heart is burnt to 
a coal.’ 
Mary Howitt has spoken of the tulip more 
gently than most of the poets. 
‘ Streak y-Tulip, jet and gold, 
Dearly priced whenever sold j 
Rich in color, low and sweet.’ 
The Myrtle was named ‘ from Myrsine, a 
Grecian female, and priestess in the temple of 
Venus. She was a great favorite of Minerva; 
and Venus, as a proof of her own regard, changed 
her to a myrtle, which, at the same time, she de¬ 
creed should be green and odoriferous throughout 
the year.’ 
