116 DROrS FROM FLORA'S CUP. 
THE MYRTLE. 
This evergreen, like many of Flora’s favored children, has a classic 
origin. It was named from Myrsine, a Greoian priestess, who served in 
the temple of Venus. She was beloved by Minerva and Venus, and the 
latter changed her after doath into a myrtle, which sho commanded to 
remain green and odorous through the year. 
The goddess Discordia, at the marriage of Peleus and Thetis, throw 
amidst the company a golden apple, inscribed, 4 Let the fairest take it/ 
Juno, Venus, and Minerva were the competitors ; Venus, achieving the 
victory, was crowned by Cupid with a myrtle-wreath. 
LOVE rtf ABSENCE. 
F. W. THOMAS. 
'T is said that absence conquers lore ! 
But, oh! believe it not; 
I’ve tried, alas, its power to prove, 
But thou art not forgot. 
Lady, though fate has bid us part, 
Yet still thou art as dear, 
As fixed in this devoted heart 
As when I clasped thee here. 
I plunge into the busy crowd, 
And smile to hear thy name; 
And yet as if I thought aloud, 
They knew me still the same. 
And when the wine cup passes round, 
I toast some other fair — 
But when I ask my heart the sound, 
Thy name is echoed there. 
