200 SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



tops of the Juniper, which diffused a delightful fragrance 

 around, in the most agreeable manner inviting sleep*.'' 1 



We learn both from this author and from Dr. Clarke, 

 that the same custom prevails in Sweden. 



In this country, the strewing of Juniper appears to 

 have been confined to persons of rank or fortune, while 

 persons of inferior consideration were content with rushes. 

 The use of rushes for this purpose is noticed repeatedly 

 in the works of Ben Jonson, and of Beaumont and 

 Fletcher. Dryden, too, alludes to this custom in his 

 version of Chaucer's Nun's Priesf s Tale : 



" Her parlour-window stuck with herbs around, 

 Of savoury smell., and rushes strew'd the ground." 



Fairfax gives the Juniper a bad character, in his 

 translation of Tasso : the tree is not mentioned in this 

 passage in the original : 



" Sweet Juniper, whose shadow hurteth sore :" 



Canto iii. 



The poet has, nevertheless, great and ancient authority 

 for what he says : 



" Now let us rise, for hoarseness oft invades 

 The singer's voice, who sings beneath the shades. 

 From juniper unwholesome dews distil, 

 That blast the sooty corn, the withering herbage kill/' 

 DRYDEN'S Virgil, Eel. x. 



* Brookes' Sweden and Norway, p. 131. 



