MYRTLE. 299 



Then let us clear away the choking thorns 

 From round its gentle stem ; let the young fawns, 

 Yeaned in after-times, when we are flown, 

 Find a fresh sward beneath it, overgrown 

 With simple flowers." 



" Like a myrtle tree in flower 

 Taken from an Asian bower, 

 Where with many a dewy cup 

 Nymphs in play had nursed it up." 



HUNT : from Catullus. 



It has been observed, that the Myrtle is consecrated to 

 Venus. Drayton, in his Muses' Elysium, has assembled a 

 number of emblematical wreaths : 



" The garland long ago was worn, 

 As Time pleased to bestow it : 

 The laurel only to adorn 



The conqueror and the poet. 

 The palm his due who, uncontroll'd, 



On danger looking gravely, 

 When fate had done the worst it could, 



Who bore his fortunes bravely. 

 Most worthy of the oaken wreath 



The ancients him esteem'd, 

 Who in a battle had from death 



Some man of worth redeemed. 

 About his temples grace they tie, 



Himself that so behaved, 

 In some strong siege by th' enemy 



A city that hath saved. 

 A wreath of vervain heralds wear, 



Amongst our garlands named, 

 Being sent that dreadful news to bear, 



Offensive war proclaim'd. 

 The sign of peace who first displays 



The olive wreath possesses ; 

 The lover with the myrtle sprays 



Adorns his crisped tresses. 

 In love the sad forsaken wight 



The willow garland weareth, 

 The funeral man, befitting night, 



The baleful cypress beareth. 



