GARDEN ARCHITECTURE. 
83 
* bough/ or any analogous word, meaning- simply any small chamber ; yet they are 
used indiscriminately by the best writers. Thus Milton — 
alone they passed 
On to their bhssful bower : it was a place 
Chosen by the sov'reign Planter, when he fram'd 
All things to Man's delightful use ; the roof 
Of thickest covert was inwoven shade, 
Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew 
Of firm and fragrant leaf ; on either side 
Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub 
Fenced up the verdant wall ; each beauteous flower — 
Iris all hues, roses, and jessamine. 
Reared high their flourished heads between, and wrougiit 
Mosaic ; underfoot the violet. 
Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay 
Broidered the ground — more coloured than with stone 
Of costliest emblem." 
Morning- comes at length — 
" So all was cleared, and to the fields they haste. 
But first, from under shady arborous roof," &c., &c. 
This citation is over long, if merely to prove that the words are used in com- 
mon ; but it will be pardoned, as containing the " beau ideal" of an arbour, from 
one who was no mean judge of the beautiful. 
Arbours, often found formed by the hand of Nature, and needing but little 
to render them delicious retreats, are of the highest antiquity ; their luxury could 
be more valued in a warmer climate than ours, and, accordingly, we find the peaceful 
days of Solomon described in the Sacred Text by the characteristic phrase, that 
" Judah and Israel dwelt safely every man under his vine, and under his figtree, 
from Dan even to Beersheba." 
In the gardens of the luxurious Romans under the Empire, it formed the 
favourite retreat of their hours of pleasure. 
Thus Horace — 
" Est qui nec veteris pocula Massici, 
Nec partem solido demere de die 
Spernit ; nunc viridi membra sub arbuto 
Stratus, nunc ad aquje lene caput sacrse." 
Carm.,Lib. 1. Od. I, V. 20. 
And again — 
" Simplici myrto nihil allabores, 
Sedulus euro : neque te ministrum 
Dedecet myrtus, neque me sub arcta 
Vite bibentem." 
Cartn., Lib. 1. Od. 38, v. 5. 
