186 



SYLVAN SKETCHES 



Spenser plants the Ivy in the Bower of Bliss : 



And over him. Art striving to compare 



With Nature, did an arbour green dispred. 



Framed of wanton ivy, ilow'ring fair ; 



Through which the fragrant eglantine did spred 



His pricking arras, en trailed with roses red. 



Which dainty odours round about them threw : 



And all within with flowers was garnished, 



That when mild Zephyrus emongst them blew. 



Did breathe out bounteous smells, and painted colours shew." 



SPlilNSER. 



He gives a very delightful picture of it in another 

 passage : 



Emongst the rest, the clamb'ring yvie grew, 

 Knitting his wanton arms with grasping hold. 

 Lest that the poplar happely should rew 

 Her brother's strokes, whose boughs she doth enfold 

 With her lythe twigs, till they the top survew. 

 And paint with pallid green her buds of gold." 



Spenser's Virgil's Gnat. 



The Ivy has certainly a very beautiful and picturesque 

 appearance upon old buildings, particularly where they 

 are too old to fear any injury it might do them ; where 

 it often is seen hanging in luxuriant and heavy masses. 

 As on the ruins of an old castle, abbey, or church : 



The little chapel with the cross above, 

 Upholding wreaths of ivy- " 



Keats. 



The epithet reverend is very appropriate to the Ivy, 

 which is a slow grower, and must be old where it crowns 

 the tree it grows by : 



