(_To the Editor of the Mirror._)


Sir,--I have taken the liberty of transmitting to you a piece of a Latin
ode, which appears to me to be the original of the song--"The lily bells
are wet with dew," in Miss Mitford's "Dramatic Scenes," which appeared
in your miscellany of June 23, 1827.

It is copied from an old book published in the year 1697, by Charles
Elford, entitled "Gemmae Poetarum."

If you think it worthy insertion, I should feel obliged by its
appearance. Yours respectfully,

J.T.S.

Lilia rorescuut, jubara osculo blande rosarum
Florem tangunt--o, dives odore,
O, splendens tinctu floretum--est ...
Surge Feronia, et sertum texe
Caesariem nunc implectare tuum coracinum
Ne aestu medio sol flores abripiat.
In coelo tenuis nubes est, lenta susurra
Cum aura veniunt--aut imbrem vaticinans
Aut nivem: orire, Feronia, crinem stringere caute
Sertum age, ne veniat tempestas minitans.

I have translated it thus, which you may perceive is strictly literal:--