FLORA’S LEXICON.
69
ROWN IMPERIAL. Fritillaria Imperialis. Class 6, Hexandria. Order: Monogynia. This noble flower is said to have been brought into England in the time of Shakspeare, who has introduced it in his Winter’s Tale:
Bold oxlip, and
The crown imperial; lilies of all kinds;
The flower de luce being one.
The crown imperial; lilies of all kinds;
The flower de luce being one.
On this family of plants modern botanists have bestowed the name of Fritillaria, of which this, from its commanding deportment and brilliant colours, is considered the sovereign.
The lily’s height bespoke command,
A fair imperial flower;
She seem’d design’d for Flora’s hand,
The sceptre of her power.
A fair imperial flower;
She seem’d design’d for Flora’s hand,
The sceptre of her power.
We have therefore elevated this distinguished member of Flora’s kingdom to be the emblem of majesty, and the representative of power in our floral sentiments.
MAJESTY.
There is for Kings a fame that never dies,
A sunlike glory which itself supplies,
The light that emanates from grateful minds,
Defying envy, which its lustre blinds,
There is, for ever flowing and to flow,
For Him who turns to joy his people’s woe,
A stream of love unwearied in its course,
A nation’s heart its warm and salient source.
Through loyal veins, devolved from sires to sons,
From age to age the faithful current runs,
And bears for ever on in just renown
The buoyant name that dignified a crown.
One Patriot King has earn’d this meed of fame,
And Ireland’s voice will vindicate His claim.
A sunlike glory which itself supplies,
The light that emanates from grateful minds,
Defying envy, which its lustre blinds,
There is, for ever flowing and to flow,
For Him who turns to joy his people’s woe,
A stream of love unwearied in its course,
A nation’s heart its warm and salient source.
Through loyal veins, devolved from sires to sons,
From age to age the faithful current runs,
And bears for ever on in just renown
The buoyant name that dignified a crown.
One Patriot King has earn’d this meed of fame,
And Ireland’s voice will vindicate His claim.
Quillinan
