296 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



and the branches put into wine. Evelyn speaks of a de- 

 coction of Myrtle-berries for dyeing the hair black. 



Myrtle was the symbol of authority for magistrates at, 

 Athens ; bloodless victors were crowned with Myrtle ; and 

 hence the swords of Harmodius and Aristogiton were 

 wreathed with Myrtle, when they set forth to free their 

 country from hereditary monarchy. Thus when the young 

 hero is contemning the indolent and effeminate luxury 

 around him, he breaks out in enthusiastic admiration of 

 the Greeks : 



" It was not so, land of the generous thought 

 And daring deed ! thy godlike sages taught ; 

 It was not thus, in bowers of wanton ease, 

 Thy Freedom nursed her sacred energies : 

 Oh ! not beneath the enfeebling, withering glow 

 Of such dull luxury did those myrtles grow 

 With which she wreathed her sword when she would dare 

 Immortal deeds ; but in the bracing air 

 Of toil, of temperance, of that high, rare 

 Etherial virtue, which alone can breathe 

 Life, health, and lustre into Freedom's wreath." 



MOORE'S LALLA ROOKH. 



Spears also were made of Myrtle wood : 



e ' Viminibus salices foecundae, frondibus ulmi : 

 At myrtus validis hastilibus, et bona bello 

 Cornus." 



GEORGIC 2. 



" Willows in twigs are fruitful, elms in leaves ; 

 The war from stubborn myrtle shafts receives ; 

 From cornels javelins." 



DRYDEN'S VERSION. 



The Myrtle's fondness for the sea-shore is noticed by 

 Virgil in his Georgics : 



f Nee sera comantem 



Narcissum, aut flexi tacuissem vimen acanthi, 

 Pallentesque hederas, et amantes litora myrtos." 



GEORGIC 4. 



