Emblematic Garlands. 
“They tell in a garland their loves and cares.” 
E MBLEMATIC GARLANDS hold such an important 
position in floral symbolism that, despite the many 
allusions to them in various portions of this work, it was 
deemed undesirable to leave them without the honour of a 
distinct chapter. 
What a prominent part wreaths and garlands played in the 
social histories of Greece, Rome, and the middle ages of 
Europe has already been depicted in former pages ; it there¬ 
fore only remains to turn to our poets, and hear what sweet 
things they have to say upon the subject. Our older bards 
were frequently accustomed to make their heroes 
“ Gather a wreath from the garden bowers, 
And tell the wish of their hearts in flowers; ” 
and none have left more noteworthy examples than William 
Browne and Michael Drayton, the latter of whom, in his 
“ Muses’ Elysium,” thus heralds the way: 
“ The garland long ago was worn 
As Time pleased to bestow it: 
The laurel only to adorn 
The conqueror and the poet. 
“ The palm his due who, uncontroll’d, 
On danger looking gravely, 
When Fate had done the worst it could, 
Who bore his fortune bravely. 
“ Most worthy of the oaken wreath 
The ancients him esteemed 
Who in a battle had from death 
Some man of worth redeemed. 
“ A wreath of vervain heralds wear, 
Among our garlands named, 
Being sent the dreadful news to bear, 
Offensive war proclaim’d. 
“ The sign of peace who first displays 
The olive wreath possesses; 
The lover with the myrtle sprays 
Adorns his crisped tresses. 
“ In love, the sad forsaken wight, 
The willow garland weareth; 
The funeral w.ght, befitting night. 
The baleful cypress beareth. 
“ To Pan we dedicate the pine, 
Whose slips the shepherd graceth; 
Again, the ivy and the vine 
On the swoll’u Bacchus placeth,” 
