BASIL. 59 



In Persia (where it is called rayhan), it is generally found 

 in churchyards : 



" the Basil-tuft that waves 



Its fragrant blossom over graves." 



It is probably the custom to use it in Italy also to adorn 

 tombs and graves, and this may have been Boccaccio's 

 reason for selecting it to shade the melancholy treasure of 

 Isabella. The exquisite story which he has told us has 

 lately become familiar to English readers, in the poems 

 of Mr. Barry Cornwall and Mr. Keats. The former does 

 not venture, like Boccaccio, to describe Isabella as che- 

 rishing the head of her lover, but makes her bury the 

 heart in a pot of Basil ; first so enwrapping and embalming 

 it as to preserve it from decay. Mr. Keats is more true to 

 his Italian original, and not only describes her as bury- 

 ing the head, but makes the head itself serve to enrich 

 the soil, and beautify the tree ; nay, even to become a part 



of it: 



" And she forgot the stars, the moon, and sun. 

 And she forgot the blue above the trees, 

 And she forgot the dells where waters run, 

 And she forgot the chilly autumn breeze : 

 She had no knowledge when the day was done, 

 And the new morn she saw not, but in peace 

 Hung over her sweet basil evermore, 

 And moisten'd it with tears unto the core. 



" And so she ever fed it with thin tears, 

 Whence thick and green and beautiful it grew, 

 So that it smelt more balmy than its peers 

 Of basil-tufts in Florence ; for it drew 

 Nurture besides, and life from human fears, 

 From the fast mouldering head there shut from view ; 

 So that the jewel safely casketed 

 Came forth, and in perfumed leafits spread." 



This young poet now lies in an Italian grave, which is 

 said to be adorned with a variety of flowers. Among them 

 Sweet Basil should not be forgotten. 



And here we are naturally led to the Bay-tree. 



