108 MAY. 



nently sympathised with the spirit of grace and 

 beauty in every thing, were enthusiastic in their 

 love, and lavish in their use of flowers. They 

 scattered them in the porticoes of their temples, 

 they were offered on the altars of some of their 

 deities; they were strewed in the conqueror's 

 path ; on all occasions of festivity and rejoicing 

 they were strewn about, or worn in garlands. 

 It was the custom then to bring away 

 The bride from home at blushing shut of day, 

 Veiled, in a chariot, heralded along 

 By strewn flowers, torches and a marriage song. 



Keats. 



The guests at banquets were crowned with 

 them : 



Garlands of every green, and every scent, 



From vales deflowered, or forest-trees branch-rent, 



In baskets of bright osiered gold were brought, 



High as the handles heaped, to suit the thought 



Of every guest, that each as he did please 



Might fancy-fit his brows, silk-pillowed at his ease. 



Keats. 

 The bowl was wreathed with them, and where- 

 ever they wished to throw beauty, and to ex- 

 press gladness, like sunshine they cast flowers. 



Something of the same spirit seems to have 

 prevailed amongst the Hebrews. " Let us fill 

 ourselves," says Solomon, " with costly wine 

 and ointments; and let no flower of the spring 

 pass by us. Let us crown ourselves with rose- 

 buds before they be withered." But amongst 



