JASMINE.

(Jasminum.)

THE white Jasmine is a native of China; and was first cultivated in England in the year 1549. From its beautiful blossom, fragrance of smell, and rapid growth, spreading its long pliable branches several feet in one summer, we find it a favourite plant for adorning verandas and summer-houses; and also for spreading along garden walls. Its numerous white flowers, intermingled with the dark green leaves, form a beautiful contrast.

There are several varieties: some being very large and double, and others yellow. At Malabar, the women string the larger double blossoms, and wear them round their necks for ornament, as well as for their odoriferous perfume: in our own country, the essence, extracted from the flowers, is much esteemed.

Class, DIANDRIA. Order, MONOGYNIA.

TO THE JASMINE.

ON gentle gales the grateful twilight came;
Dimpling the shining lakes, the fragrant breeze
Sighs o'er the lawns, and whispers thro' the trees.
Refreshed, the lily rears its silver head,
And opening Jasmines o'er the arbour spread.

CAMOENS.

'Twas midnight-through the lattice wreathed
With woodbine, many a perfume breathed
From plants that wake when others sleep;
From timid Jasmine-buds that keep

Their odour to themselves all day;
But when the sunlight dies away,
Let the delicious secret out

To every breeze that roams about.

MOORE,

JASMINE FLOWERS.

AND brides, as delicate and fair

As the white Jasmine flowers they wear,
Hath Yemen in her blissful clime;
Who lulled in cool kiosk or bower,
Before their mirrors count the time,
And grow still lovelier every hour.

IN THE COURT OF HAWORTH CASTLE.

My slight and slender Jasmine-tree,
That bloomest on my border tower,
Thou art more dearly loved by me,

Than all the wealth of fairy bower.
I ask not, while I near thee dwell,
Arabia's spice or Syria's rose;
Thy light festoons more freshly smell,
Thy virgin white more freshly glows.

My mild and winsome Jasmine-tree,
That climbest up the dark grey wall,
Thy tiny flowerets seem in glee,

Like silver spray-drops, down to fall :

JASMINE.

TO A FRIEND.

SWEET Jessamine, long may thy elegant flower,
Breathe fragrance and solace to me;

And long thy green sprigs overshadow the bower,
Devoted to friendship and thee.

The eye that was dazzled, where lilies and roses
Their brilliant assemblage display'd,

With grateful delight on thy verdure reposes,
A tranquil and delicate shade.

But, ah! what dejection thy foliage expresses,
Which pensively droops on her breast;
The dew of the evening has laden her tresses,
And stands like a tear on her crest.

I'll watch by thy side through the gloom of the night,
Impatient, till morning appears :

No charm can awaken this heart to delight,
My Jasmine, while thou art in tears.

But soon will the shadows of night be withdrawn,
Which ever in mercy are given;

And thou shalt be cheered by the light of the morn,
And fanned by the breezes of heaven.

And still may thy tranquil and delicate shade,
Yield fragrance and solace to me;

For though all the flowers in my garden should fade, My heart will repose upon thee.

How lovelily the Jasmine flower

Blooms far from man's observing eyes;

And having lived its little hour,

There withers,-there sequestered dies. Though faded, yet 'tis not forgot;

A rich perfume time cannot sever, Lingers in that unfriended spot,

And decks the Jasmine's grave for ever.

Thus, thus should man, who seeks to soar,
On Learning's wings, to Fame's bright sky,
Far from his fellows, seek that lore,

Unheeded live, sequestered die.

Thus, like the Jasmine, when he's fled,
Fame's rich perfume will ever keep,
Ling'ring around the faded dead,

As saints that watch some infant's sleep.

R. RYAN.