ROSE. 119 
“ Nay, child,” was Flora’s mild reply, 
“ Be thankful for such gifts as I 
Have deem’d befitting to dispense — 
Thy dower the hue of innocence.” 
When did Persuasion’s voice impart 
Content and peace to female heart 
Where baleful Jealousy bears sway, 
And scares each gentler guest away ! 
The Rose still grumbled' and complained, 
Her mother’s bounties still disdained, 
“ Well, then,” said angered Flora — “ take’ — 
She breathed upon her as she spake — 
“ Henceforth no more in simple vest 
Of innocence shalt thou be drest 
Take that which better suits thy mind — 
The hue for Jealousy designed 1” 
The Yellow Rose has from that hour 
Borne evidence of Envy’s power. 
Tliere is another strongly marked variety of this 
flower in the Thornless Rose. The author of that 
affecting tale, “ The Leper of Aoste,” asserts that 
the thorns of the Rose are produced by cultivation ; 
and this theory naturally suggested the emblem of 
ingratitude which has been adopted. In both 
these assumptions, however, there appears to be a 
