MAY. 133 



lavish in their use, of flowers. They scattered them 

 in the porticoes of their temples, they were offered 

 on the altars of some of their deities ; they were 

 strewed in the conqueror's path ; on all occasions of 

 festivity and rejoicing they were strewn about, or 

 worn in garlands. 



It was the custom then to bring away 



The bride from home at blushing shut of day, 



Veiled, in a chariot, heralded along 



By strewn flowers, torches, and a marriage song. 



KEATS. 



The guests at banquets were crowned with them : 



Garlands of every green, and every scent, 



From vales deflowered, or forest-trees branch-rent, 



In baskets of bright osiered gold were brought, 



High as the handles heaped, to suit the thought 



Of every guest, that each as he did please 



Might fancy-fit his brows, silk.pillowed at his ease. 



KEATS. 



The bowl was wreathed with them, and wherever 

 they wished to throw beauty, and to express glad- 

 ness, like sunshine, they cast flowers. 



Something of the same spirit seems to have pre- 

 vailed amongst the Hebrews. " Let us fill ourselves," 

 says Solomon, " with costly wine and ointments ; 

 and let no flower of the spring pass by us. Let us 

 crown ourselves with rosebuds before they be 

 withered." But amongst that solemn and poetical 

 people they were commonly regarded in another 

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