The Myrtle. 
6 5 
Virgil, in his “ Pastorals,” alludes to the fragrance of the 
myrtle-blossom in these terms : 
“ Thee, O myrtle, I will pluck, and next the laurel place. 
For, thus arranged, thou’It mingle sweet perfumes!” 
The same author, in his “ Georgies,” notices this flower’s fond¬ 
ness for the sea-shore—a fondness that has supplied the poets 
with many a simile. Amongst other properties that Virgil 
also assigns to this plant is its adaptibility for the manufacture 
of weapons, as 
“The war from stubborn myrtle shafts receives.” 
It was formerly much valued for this purpose, for its dura¬ 
bility, and, even now, the Portuguese consider its wood the 
hardest which grows. 
Amongst the ancient writers who speak of its symbolism is 
Pliny: he records that the Romans and Sabines, when they 
were reconciled, laid down their weapons under a myrtle-tree, 
and purified themselves with its boughs. When Harmodius 
and Aristogiton set forth to free their country from hereditary 
monarchy, their swords were wreathed with myrtle. 
Thus hymns Moore, in a higher flight than is usual with him, 
when his young hero is contemning the indolent and effemi¬ 
nate luxury around him : 
“ It was not so, land of the generous thought, 
And daring deeds thy god-like sages taught; 
It was not thus, in bowers of wanton ease, 
Thy freedom nursed her sacred energies; 
Oh ! not beneath the enfeebling, withering glow 
Of such dull luxury did those myrtles grow, 
With which she wreathed her sword when she would dare 
Immortal deeds; but in the bracing air 
Of toil, of temperance, and of that high, rare, 
Ethereal virtue, which alone can breathe 
Life, health, and lustre into freedom’s wreath.” 
Herrick, who was as apt as Milton himself at a classic allusion, 
thus offers to propitiate Venus : 
“ Goddess, I do love a girl, 
Ruby lipp’d and tooth’d with pearl; 
If so be I may but prove 
Lucky in this maid I love, 
I will promise there shall be 
Myrtles offered up to thee. ” 
f? 
