








8& 
EGOTISM. 
POET’S NARCISSUS. 
Narcissus fair 
As o’er the fabled fountain hanging still. 
THOMSON. 
Tue 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 thou- 
sand nymphs loved the handsome youth, but 
suffered the pangs of unrequited love. View- 
ing himself in the crystal fount he became 
enamoured of his own image, 
Narcissus on the grassy verdure lies : 
But whilst within the erystal font he tries 
To quench his heat, he feels new heats arise. 
For as his own bright image he surveyed, j 
He fell in love with the fantastic shade ; 
And o’er the fair resemblance hung unmoved, 
Nor knew, fond youth! it was himself he loved. 
OVID. 
In consequence of this error he slighted the 
love of Echo, who witnessed his fruitless vows 
