202 FLORAL EMBLEMS. 



LOVE. 



Myrtle. — Myrtus. 

 " The lover's myrtle/' 



Thornpson. 



*' Like a myrtle tree in flower 

 Taken from an Asian bower. 

 Where with many a dewy cup. 



Nymphs in play had nursed it up." 



Hunfs Catullus. 



*' The lover with the myrtle sprays. 

 Adorns his crisped tresses/' 



Drayton. 



Mythological writers state that when Venus 

 first sprang from the bosom of the waves, the 

 Hours preceded her with a garland of myrtle, 

 since which it has been dedicated to the god- 

 dess of beauty, and made the emblem of love. 



" Imperial passion ! sacred fire ! 

 When we of meaner subjects sing. 

 Thou tun'st our harp, thou dost our souls inspire ; 

 'Tis love directs ttie quill, 'tis love strikes every string." 



