30 
FLORAL EMBLEMS. 
has been selected because the eastern nations 
consider it the 
“ Emblem and cradle of creative night.” 
It was anciently revered in Egypt, as it is 
at present in Hindostan, Tibet, and Nepal, 
where they believe that it was in the conse¬ 
crated bosom of this plant, that Brahma was 
born ; and on which Osiris delighted to float. 
This day derives its name from moon and 
day , it being anciently set aside for the wor¬ 
ship of the changing luminary of the night. 
“ Queen of the silver bow !—by thy pale beam 
Alone and pensive, I delight to stray. 
And watch thy shadow trembling in the stream. 
Or mark the floating clouds that cross thy way. 
And while I gaze, thy mild and placid light 
Sheds a soft calm upon my troubled breast: 
And oft I think—fair planet of the night. 
That in thy orb the wretched may have rest: 
The sufferers of the earth perhaps may go, 
Releas’d by death—to thy benignant sphere ; 
And the sad children of despair and woe 
Forget, in thee, the cup of sorrow here.” 
Charlotte Smith. 
