POPPY. 
( Consolation — Oblivion.) 
HE Poppy, Greek mythologists tell us, was created 
by Ceres whilst in search of her daughter Proser¬ 
pine, as a soother of her grief. The pastoral poet, 
William Browne, in his quaint phraseology, says : 
“Sleep-bringing poppy, by the plowman late, 
Not without cause, to Ceres consecrate : 
For being round and full at his half-birth, 
It signified the perfect orb of earth ; 
And by his inequalities when blowne. 
The earth’s low vales and higher hills were showne ; 
By multitude of grains it held within, 
Of men and beasts the number noted bin. 
* * * * * 
Or since her daughter that she loved so well, 
By him that in the infernal shades does dwell, 
* * * * * 
Fairest Proserpina was rapt away, 
And she in plaints the night, in tears the day, 
Had long time spent; when no high power could give her 
Any redresse, the poppy did relieve her : 
For, eating of the seeds, they sleep procured, 
And so beguiled those griefs she long endured. ” 
POPPIES. 
LEIGH HUNT. 
We are slumberous poppies, 
Lords of Lethe downs, 
Some awake and some asleep, 
Sleeping in our crown. 
