Narcissus fair 
As o’er the fabled fountain hanging still. 
THOMSON. 
The poet’s narcissus exhales a very agree¬ 
able perfume; it bears a golden crown in the 
centre of its pure white petals, which expand 
quite flat, the stem-slightly inclining to one 
side. The cup or nectary in the centre, 
which is very short, is frequently bordered 
with a bright purple circle, and sometimes 
the nectary is edged with crimson. 
Ovid, in his Metamorphoses, tells us of the 
fate of the lovely and coy Narcissus. A 
thousand nymphs loved the handsome youth, 
but suffered the pangs of unrequited love. 
Viewing himself in the crystal fount he be¬ 
came enamoured of his own image. 
---*-..-.v***** V/Ijotiw XV/XJLI/ 1IC Ulica 
To quench his heat, he feels new heats arise. 
For as his own bright image he surveyed, 
He fell in love with the fantastic shade; 
And o’er the fair resemblance hung unmoved, 
Nor knew, fond youth 1 it was himself he loved. 
OVID. 
In consequence of this error he slighted 
the love of Echo, who witnessed his fruitless 
