124 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
love for the Rose drives him to distraction, and 
causes him to break forth into those languishing and 
touching complaints, which are laid to his charge. 
Thus the Persians believe that the nightingale in 
spring flutters around the Rose-bushes, uttering 
incessant complaints, till, overpowered by the 
strong scent, he drops stupified on the ground. 
Among the ancients it was customary to crown 
new-married persons with a chaplet of Red and 
White Roses ; and, in the processions of the Cory- 
bantes, the goddess Cybele, the protectress of cities, 
was pelted with White Roses. The pelting with 
Roses is still common in Persia, being practised 
during the whole time that these flowers are in 
blossom. A company of young men repair to the 
places of public entertainment to amuse the guests 
with music, singing, and dancing ; and, in their 
way through the streets, they pelt the passengers 
whom they meet with Roses, and receive a little 
gratuity in return. 
In the middle ages, the queen of flowers contribu- 
ted to a singular popular festival at Treviso, in 
Italy. In the middle of the city, the inhabitants 
erected a castle, the walls of which were formed of 
