THE WILLOW. 99 



Very different, however, are the feelings inspired 

 by the sight of a Weeping Willow, hanging in all its 

 natural luxuriance over some translucent stream, 

 which, regardless of the caresses of its dipping 

 foliage, reflects its image for a passing moment, and 

 flows on, the very emblem of carelessness and in- 

 constancy. The Willow, from time immemorial, 

 expressive of disappointed love, has furnished a 

 thousand beautiful allusions to our elder poets. Its 

 light and silvery foliage was supposed, in former 

 ages, to shed a mysterious influence around, grateful 

 to the votaries of Diana : this part of its reputation, 

 however, is, it should seem, exploded by the more 

 enlightened science of the present day, as we do- not 

 see it particularly resorted to, either for shade or 

 shelter. The Willow was held in the highest esti- 

 mation by the ancients, for its importance in the 

 service of husbandry ; on which account it was dedi- 

 cated by them to the Goddess Ceres. 



We have, however, one sacred and solemn asso- 

 ciation with this tree, which the heathens could not 

 have ; and that is, the complaint of the captive 

 Israelites : 



" By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down ; yea there we wept 

 when we remembered Zion. 



" We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 



" For there they that carried us away captive, required of us a 

 song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing 

 us one of the songs of Zion." PSALM 137. 



