THE POPLAR AND THE WILLOW. 68 



same that was used here two thousand years ago. No one after this 

 will demur to the osier, at all events, being native. The word in 

 question is one of the very few ancient British terms that have lived 

 into our own modern English. It is preserved, in its Celtic form, by 

 the Roman poet, Martial, one of whose epigrams, freely rendered, runs 

 as follows : 



From Britain's painted sons I came, 

 And "basket" is my barbarous name ; 

 But now I am so modish grown, 

 That Rome would claim me for her own ! 



The shields and coracles of the ancient Britons were also made of 

 wicker, osier-work having apparently been with this rude and simple 

 people just what papyrus-work was with the ancient Egyptians. It is 

 this self-same plant which, with the Salix Caprcea, and one or two 

 other species, has now for ages borne the name of "palm," or more 

 properly, " palm-willow," being usually in full bloom on Palm-Sunday, 

 and thus available for use where the ancient emblematic practice of 

 carrying or "strowing" palm- branches cannot be carried out with the 

 leaves of the genuine tree. The veritable palm is used upon the shores 

 of the Mediterranean ; as we recede northwards, other plants must 

 needs be substituted, and at last, in England, the palm-willow proves 



efficient. 



In Rome, upon Palm- Sunday, 



They bear true palms ; 

 The cardinals bow reverently, 



And sing old psalms. 

 Elsewhere those psalms are sung 



'ilicl the olive branches ; 

 The holly-bough supplies their place 



Among the avalanches ! 



So it continues, every different climate and country supplying for the 

 occasion some cheerful stalk of green or yellow, England in its turn 

 contributing the willow. Rosalind knew this tree when she entered 

 the house exclaiming " See, what I have found upon a palm ! " 



