Vervain. 
(YOU ENCHANT ME.) 
ERVAIN, or wild verbena, has been the floral symbol of 
enchantment from time immemorial. It was styled 
“ sacred herb ” by the Greeks, who ascribed a thousand mar¬ 
vellous properties to it, not the least of which was its power 
of reconciling enemies. Under the influence of this belief, 
they, as did also the Romans, sent it by their ambassadors on 
treaties of peace ; and, whenever they dispatched their heralds 
to offer terms of reconciliation, renewal or suspension of hos¬ 
tilities, one of them invariably bore a sprig of vervain. In 
his “ Muses’ Elysium,” Drayton calls it “ holy vervain,” and 
thus speaks of it: 
“ A wreath of vervain heralds wear 
Amongst our garlands named, 
Being sent that weighty news to bear 
Of peace or war proclaimed.” 
Peoples of antiquity also frequently used this plant in various 
kinds of divinations, sacrifices, and incantations; and its spe¬ 
cific name of verbena originally signified a herb used to deco¬ 
rate altars. Ben Jonson, who was never happier than in a 
classic allusion, says, 
“Bring your garlands, and with reverence place 
The vervian on the altar.” 
It was much valued by the Druids, being regarded by them 
as only second to the mistletoe: they used it largely in their 
divinations and casting of lots. Many impressive ceremonies 
were practised, and sacrifices offered to the Earth, before they 
cut this sacred plant. This was in the spring, and according 
to priestly orders, vervain was to be gathered about the rising 
of the Great Dog Star, but so as neither sun nor moon be at 
