Story of Pyramus and Thisbe

A Babylonian youth, named Pyramus, becomes enamoured of Thisbe, a beautiful maiden⁠—The flame is mutual, and the two lovers disregard the prohibition of their parents, and converse through the chink of wall which separates the houses⁠—They now determine to elude the vigilance of their friends, and to meet in the neighbourhood under a white mulberry-tree⁠—Thisbe first arrives at the appointed place, but the sudden appearance of a lioness affrights her; and, during her flight into a neighbouring cave, she drops her veil, which the lioness finds and besmears with blood⁠—Pyramus recognises the garment, and, concluding that she has been devoured by wild beasts, stabs himself⁠—Thisbe, when her fears vanish, returns from the cave, and, at the sight of the dying Pyramus, falls on the sword still reeking with his blood⁠—The mulberry-tree, stained with the blood of the lovers, ever after hears fruit of that colour.