RUE AND ITS VIRTUES 285 



Those to whom on the ground of old associations 

 the rosemary appeals will extend a like sympathy 

 with the rue, its personal attractiveness receives our 

 welcome, the pale grey of its foliage no less than 

 the beauty of its form making it very acceptable. 

 This again is a plant we derive from Southern 

 Europe, but from its medical reputation it has long 

 been one of the plants of the herb-garden. It was 

 in earlier days a potent element in the exorcism 

 of evil spirits, hence its old name herb of grace. 1 

 It was held, too, of great value in strengthening the 

 sight. Milton, amongst other poets, thus refers to 

 its medicinal use 



"Then purged with euphrasie and rue 

 His visual orbs, for he had much to see." 



The list of its virtues, as given in the writings of 

 the old herbalists, is a very long one. " The seed 

 thereof taken in wine is an antidote against all 

 dangerous medicines and deadly poisons, a decoc- 

 tion of the leaves cureth all pains and torments." 

 To quote at greater length is superfluous : one 



1 " There's rue for you ; and here's some for me ; 

 We may call it herb grace o' Sundays." 



HAMLET. 



" 'Twas a good lady : we may pick a thousand sallets ere we 

 light on such another herb. Indeed, sir, she was the sweet 

 marjoram of the sallet, or, rather, the herb of grace " (" All's 

 Well that Ends Well"). 



