202 FLORAL EMBLEMS. 



LOVE. 



MYRTLE. Myrtus. 

 " The lover's myrtle." 



Thompson. 



" 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's Catullus. 



" The lover with the myrtle sprays, 

 Adorns his crisped tresses." 



Dray ton. 



Mythological writers state that when Venus 

 first sprang from the bosom of the waves, the 

 Hours preceded her with a garland of myrtle, 

 since which it has been dedicated to the god- 

 dess of beauty, and made the emblem of love. 



" Imperial passion ! sacred fire ! 

 When we of meaner subjects sing, 

 Thou tun'st our harp, thou dost our souls inspire ; 

 'Tis love directs the quill, 'tis love strikes every string." 



