YPRESS. Cupressus Sempervirens. Class 2, Monœcia. Order: Monadelphia. The cypress is the universal emblem of mourning, and is the funeral tree in the eastern world, from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea; it is also dedicated to the dead, from Mazanderan to Constantinople, as well as to the utmost bounds of China’s fruitful shores.
Ovid gives us a traditionary account of the mournful origin of the cypress tree, and we always find it devoted to mournful thoughts, or sad solemnities. Cyparissus, son of Telephus of Cea, was beloved by Apollo. Having killed the favourite stag of his friend, he grieved, pined, and, dying, was changed by Apollo into a cypress tree. Calmet describes it to be a tall, straight tree, having bitter leaves. The shade and smell were said to be dangerous; hence the Romans looked on it as a fatal tree, and made use of it at funerals. It is an evergreen; the wood is heavy, of rather a fragrant smell,—is not liable to be attacked by insects, and does not speedily decay. Shakspeare says that cypress is the emblem of mourning; and we are told by Irving that, in Latium, on the decease of any person, a branch of cypress was placed before the door.
MOURNING.
A funeral train
Will in a cypress grove be found.
Will in a cypress grove be found.
Landon
The moon is o’er a grove of cypress trees
Weeping like mourners.
Weeping like mourners.
Landon
Peace to the dust that in silence reposes
Beneath the dark shades of cypress and yew;
Let spring deck the spot with her earliest roses,
And heaven wash their leaves with its holiest dew.
Beneath the dark shades of cypress and yew;
Let spring deck the spot with her earliest roses,
And heaven wash their leaves with its holiest dew.
Pierpont