POPPY. 
167 
POPPY. 
CONSOLATION. 
As these plants, or rather the juice extracted 
from them, are employed to ease pain and to 
procure sleep to the restless invalid, the red 
Poppy in floral language is made the symbol of 
consolation. The white Poppy is supposed to 
express “ My bane, my antidote.” 
According to the Grecian mythology, the 
Poppy owed its origin to Ceres, who created it 
to assuage her grief, during her search after 
her daughter Proserpine, who was carried off 
by Pluto. 
Indulgent Ceres knew my worth, 
And to adorn the teeming earth 
She bade the Poppy rise. 
Cowley. 
Sleep-bringing Poppy, by the ploughman late, 
Not without cause, to Ceres consecrate. 
W. Browne. 
The largest heads of the single white Poppy 
are preferred for making opium. These, being 
