68 THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN 



the nymphs was transformed to an olive tree, and 

 his tears to bitter berries. 



The fair virgin Daphne, at her ovv^n request, 

 became a laurel, that she might escape from Apollo, 

 who was in pursuit of her. Just as Apollo overtook 

 her, a stiffness seized her limbs, and gradually she 

 took on the appearance of a laurel tree. Apollo 

 embraced the branches and lavished kisses on the 

 wood. " Since thou canst not be my wife," said 

 he, " thou shalt assuredly be my tree. I will wear 

 thee for my crown. I will decorate thee with my 

 harp and my quiver. When the Roman conquerors 

 conduct the triumphal pomp to the Capitol, thou 

 shalt be woven into wreaths for their brows. And, 

 as eternal youth is mine, thou also shalt be always 

 green, and thy leaf know no decay." 



The beautiful Dryope was changed to a lotus 

 tree for unwittingly plucking a blossom in which 

 was enshrined the nymph Lotus. 



A just doom met the two Eonian women, who, 

 turning to flee, after murdering Orpheus, found 

 their flight checked by the rapid lengthening of 

 their toes. Soon their feet became rooted to the 

 ground, their flesh turned to woody fibre, their 

 hair and hands changed to leaves and branches, and 

 a thick and rugged bark enclosed their shuddering 

 forms. 



The most interesting of these mythological 

 metamorphoses is that related of Baucis and 

 Philemon. Once on a time, Jupiter in human shape 

 visited the land of Phrygia, and with him Mercury, 

 without his wings. 



They presented themselves as weary travellers 

 at many a door, seeking rest and shelter, but found 



