AGNUS CASTUS. 5 



in the Isle of Samos; and that particular shrub was long 

 preserved and venerated in the temple of that goddess, 

 in Samos*. 



Chaucer represents Diana as wearing a chaplet of 

 Agnus castus, and bearing a branch of it in her hand. 



" See ye not her that crowned is," (quoth she) 

 " All in white?" " Madame," (quoth I) " yes :" 

 " That is Diane, goddesse of chastite ; 

 And for because that she a maiden is, 

 In her hand the braunch she beareth this, 

 That agnus castus men call properly." 



FLOWER AND THE LEAF. 



* See Tournefort's Voyage du Levant, vol. ii. p. 121; and 

 Voyage d'Anacharsis, vol. vi. p. 295. 



