OLIVE-TREE. 275 



Did surely deem the victory his due : 



But seldom seen, forejudgment proveth true. 



Then to herself she gives her JEgide shield 



And steel-head spear, and morion on her head, 



Such as she oft is seen in warlike field : 



Then sets she forth how with her weapon dread 



She smote the ground, the which straightforth did yield 



A fruitful olive-tree, with berries spread, 



That all the gods admired ; then all the story 



She compassed with a wreath of olives hoary." 



MUIOPOTMOS. 



It was formerly a custom, especially in Athens, for am- 

 bassadors to bear an Olive-branch, as an expression of 

 their pacific intentions : 



" Yet might they see the Cretans under sail 



From high-built walls; when with a leading gale 

 The Attic ship attained their friendly shore : 

 Th' YEacides him knew (though many a day 

 Unseen), embrace, and to the court convey. 

 The goodly prince, who yet the impression held 

 Of those perfections which in youth excelled, 

 Enters the palace, bearing in his hand 

 A branch of Attic olive." 



SANDYS'S OVID, Book Seventh. 



Peace is always represented with either a branch or 

 a crown of Olive. Mr. Hunt, in his Mask, expressively 

 twines Myrtle with the Olive of Peace. Milton also puts 

 a Myrtle sprig in her hand : 



" But he her fears to cease, 

 Sent down the meek-eyed Peace ; 



She, crowned with olive green, came softly sliding 

 Down through the turning sphere, 

 His ready harbinger, 



With turtle-wing the amorous clouds dividing, 

 And waving wide her myrtle wand, 



She strikes an universal peace through sea and land." 



Virgil makes frequent mention of the Olive, and of the 

 situation in which it best thrives : 



