XI 



THE PALM 



The Romans took palms for their symbol of 

 Victory. There is a sarcophagus in the Vatican 

 on which is carved a Roman conqueror with 

 captive barbarians kneeling before him, and the 

 winged Victory who crowns him with laurel 

 holds a palm in her left hand. 



Simon Maccabees, after he had taken the 

 Tower of Jerusalem, entered it ' with thanks- 

 giving, and branches of palm trees and with 

 harps.' ' And the seers of Scripture saw palms 

 in heaven : ' A great multitude, which no man 

 could number, of all nations, and kindreds and 

 people, and tongues, stood before the throne 

 and before the Lamb clothed with white robes, 

 and palms in their hands.' ' ' These be they 

 that have put off the mortal clothing and put 

 on the immortal, and have confessed the name 



' I Maccabees xiii. 51. "Revelation vii. 



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