392 SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



Shakespeare, in allusion to Dido's being forsaken by 

 ^Eneas, says 



" In such a night, 



Stoul Dido, with a willow in her hand, 

 Upon the wild sea-banks, and waved her love 

 To come again to Carthage." 



Spenser designates it as 



" The willow worn of forlorn paramours." 



Jlerrick thus addresses the Willow tree : 



" Thou art to all lost love the best, 



The only true plant found ; 

 Wherewith young men and maids distrest, 

 And left of love, are crowned. 



When once the lover's rose is dead, 



Or laid aside forlorn ; 

 Then willow garlands 'bout the head, 



Bedewed with tears, are worn. 



When with neglect, the lover's bane, 



Poor maids rewarded be 

 For their love lost, their only gain 



Is but a wreath from thee. 



And underneath thy cooling shade, 



When weary of the light, 

 The love-spent youth and love-sick maid 



Come to weep out the night." 



This poet has some lines addressed to a Willow gar- 

 land also, which, as his poems are not very readily at 

 hand, may be added : 



" A willow garland thou didst send 



Perfumed, last day, to me ; 

 Which did but only this portend, 

 I was forsook by thee. 



