OLIVE-TREE. 313 



land, but to the temple of the Goddess of Wisdom ; and 

 the produce is destined entirely to her service. Should the 

 proprietor cut down but one of them, though it should be 

 but a useless trunk, he would be exiled, and his property 

 confiscated *. 



It was formerly a custom, especially in Athens, for am- 

 bassadors to bear an Olive-branch, as an expression of their 

 pacific intentions : 



" Yet might they see the Cretans under sail 



From high-built walls ; when with a leading gale 

 The Attic ship attained their friendly shore : 

 Th' ^Eacides him knew (though many a day 

 Unseen), embrace, and to the court convey. 

 The goodly prince, who yet the impression held 

 Of those perfections which in youth excelled, 

 Enters the palace, bearing in his hand 

 A branch of Attic olive." 



SANDYS'S OVID, Book Seventh. 



" Olives been for peace 

 When wars do surcease ;" 



says Spenser. 



Peace is always represented with either a branch or a 

 crown of Olive. Mr. Hunt, in his Mask, expressively twines 

 Myrtle with the Olive of Peace. Milton also puts a Myrtle 

 sprig in her hand : 



" But he her fears to cease, 



Sent down the meek-eyed Peace ; 



She, crowned with olive green, came softly sliding 

 Down through the turning sphere, 

 His ready harbinger, 



With turtle-wing the amorous clouds dividing, 

 And waving wide her myrtle wand, 



She strikes a universal peace through sea and land." 



Virgil makes frequent mention of the Olive, and of the 

 situation in which it best thrives : 



* See Voyage d'Anach arsis, vol. v. p. 14. 



