3taur*I. 
98 
Laurel.... Glory. 
Among the ancient Greeks and Romans, the Laurel 
was consecrated to every species of glory. The beau¬ 
tiful shrub grows abundantly at Delphi, on the banks 
of the river Peneus. There its aromatic and evergreen 
branches shoot up to the height of the loftiest trees; 
and it is alleged that, by means of some secret virtue, 
they avert lightning from the spots which they adorn. 
According to ancient fable, Daphne was the daughter 
of the river Peneus. Apollo fell in love with her, but 
she, preferring virtue to the love of the most eloquent 
of the gods, fled, in order to avoid the seducing magic 
of his words. Apollo pursued, and was on the point 
of overtaking her, when the nymph invoked her father, 
and was changed into a Laurel. The god, finding that 
he clasped an insensible tree in his arms, kissed its 
bright leaves. “Since thou canst not be my spouse,” 
said he, “thou shalt, at least, be my tree.” Thence¬ 
forward the Laurel was sacred to Apollo. 
Ambition! ambition! I’ve laughed to scorn 
Thy robe and thy gleaming sword; 
I would follow sooner a woman’s eye, 
Or the spell of a gentle word. 
But come with the glory of human mind, 
And the light of the scholar’s brow, 
And my heart shall be taught forgetfulness, 
And alone at thy altar bow. 
Willis. 
