VERVAIN. 193 



banks of the Nile, the mistletoe will always flourish upon 

 the oak, and the vervain upon the barren knolls. 



Vervain was used by the ancients for divers kinds of 

 divinations ; they attributed to it a thousand properties •, 

 among others, that of reconciling enemies ; and when the 

 Roman heralds at arms were despatched with a message 

 of peace or war to other nations, they wore a wreath of 

 vervain. 



The Druids held this plant in great veneration, and, 

 before gathering it, they made a sacrifice to the earth. 

 Probably they used it for food. 



We are told that the worshippers of the sun, in per- 

 forming their services, held branches of vervain in their 

 hands. Venus Victorious wore a crown of myrtle inter- 

 woven with vervain, and the Germans to this day give a 

 hat of vervain to the new married bride, as putting her 

 under the protection of that goddess. Pliny also tells us 

 that it was made use of by the Druids in casting lots, in 

 drawing omens, and in other magical arts. 



She night-shade strows to work him ill, 

 Therewith the vervain and her dill, 

 That hindereth witches of their will. 



DRAYTON. 



A WREATH of vervain heralds wear, 

 Amongst our garlands named. 



Being sent that dreadful news to bear, 

 Offensive war proclaim'd. 



DRAYTON. 



