272 * BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



which also were scattered on the principal walks leading to the 

 mansion.' 



" He says that the surface of this reservoir was so entirely 

 covered with rose-leaves, that the water was visible only when 

 stirred by the air, and that the servants, during the entertain- 

 ment, were continually scattering fresh Roses both upon the 

 waters and the floor of the hall.^ 



" We must not dismiss the subject of the Rose, without 

 recalling to the minds of our readers those beautiful lines from 

 Milton : 



' Eve separate he spies, 



Veiled in a cloud of fragrance where she stood, 

 Half spied, so thick the Roses blushing round 

 About her glowed ; oft stooping to support 

 Each flower of tender stalk, whose head, though gay 

 Carnation, purple, azure, or speck'd with gold, 

 Hung drooping unsustained ; them she upstays 

 Gently with myrtle band, mindless the while 

 Herself, though fairest unsupported flower, 

 From her best prop so far, and storm so nigh.' 



" In two different poems, where Venus is represented, she has 

 a crown of white and red flowers : 



' I saw anone right her figure 

 Nakid yfletyng in a se, 

 And also on her hedde parde 

 Her rosy garland white and redde.' 



' Then father Anchises decked a capacious bowl with garlands, and filled it 

 up with wine.' (Davidson's Translation.) 



" ' To crown the bowl,' says Mr. Davidson, ' sometimes signi- 

 fies no more than to fill the cup to the brim ; but here it is to 

 be taken literally for adorning the bowl with flowers, according 

 to the ancient custom. Otherwise, implevitque mero would be 

 mere tautology.' Horace repeatedly speaks of crowning the 

 bowl with Roses. 



" The Romans were at great expense to procure Roses in win- 



* See Sir W. Ouseley's Travels in the East, vol. Hi., pp. 352 and 353. 



