248 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
was an insensible tree that he held clasped in his 
arms, kissed its bright leaves. " Since thou canst 
not be my spouse," said he, " thou shalt at least be 
my tree. Thou shalt ever adorn my brow, my 
lyre, and my quiver ; and, as golden locks always 
cluster around my youthful head, so shalt thou 
always retain thy bright, beautiful foliage." Thence- 
forward the Laurel was sacred to Apollo. 
