VERVAIN. 171 



Goddess of Beauty. Venus the victorious wore 

 a crown of Myrtle interwoven with Vervahi. 



The Romans continued the use of this plant in 

 their sacred rites, sweeping their temples and 

 cleansing their altars with it, and sprinkhng holy 

 water with the branches. They also hallowed or 

 purified their houses with it to keep off evil 

 spirits. Their ambassadors or heralds at arms, 

 wore crowns of Vervain when they went to de- 

 nounce war or give defiance to their enemies ; and 

 which is thus noticed by Drayton, 



** A wreath of Vervain heralds wear, 

 Among'st our g-arlands named, 

 Being- sent that dreadful news to bear, 

 Offensive war proclaimed." 



The Druids, both in Gaul and in Britain, re- 

 garded the Vervain with the same veneration 

 which they bestowed on the Misletoe, and like 

 the magi of the east, they offered sacrifices to the 

 earth before they cut this plant in the spring, 

 which was a ceremony of great pomp. Pliny 

 tells us that the Druids made use of it in casting 

 lots, and in drawing omens, and in other pretended 

 magical arts. 



'* Dark superstition's whisper dread 

 Debarr'd the spot to vulg-ar tread; 

 * For there,' she said, ' did fays resort. 

 And satyrs hold their sylvan court, 

 15y nioonUght tread their mystic maze, 

 And blast the rash beholder's gaze.'" 



Walter Scott. 



