POETRY OF FLOWERS. 165 
Not only was this plant environed with the 
sanctity of love, but its beauty and fragrance 
likewise rendered it a favorite with several na¬ 
tions of antiquity, who gave particular atten¬ 
tion to odorous shrubs. With the Jews the 
myrtle is a symbol of peace , and, with that sig¬ 
nification attached to it, many allusions are to 
be found in the Old Testament. 
All Oriental nations have a passionate fond¬ 
ness for this flowering shrub. The Arabs have 
a tradition that Adam, when expelled from Pa¬ 
radise, brought the myrtle—the chief of sweet- 
scented flowers, into the world with him. With 
the Greeks, this flower was much admired : their 
groves, so renowned in song, were fragrant with 
its perfume, which the richness of the climate 
rendered far stronger than in ours. The Athenian 
magistrates wore chaplets of myrtle, as symbols 
of their authority ; and conquerors, who during 
their triumphs had obtained a bloodless victory, 
were allowed to entwine their laurel wreaths 
with sprigs of myrtle. 
Thus hymns Moore, in a higher flight than is 
usual with him, when his young hero is con¬ 
temning the indolent and effeminate 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 freed >m nursed her sacred energies; 
