6 
THE LANGUAGE AND 
great solemnity, placed bouquets upon their 
tables. Keats thus rehearses the custom:— 
Garlands of every green, and every scent, 
r'rom vales deflower’d, or forest trees branch-rent. 
In baskets of bright osiered gold were brought, 
High as the handles heaped, to suit the thought 
Of every guest, that each as he did please 
Might fancy fit his brows, silk-pillowed at his ease 
At their bridal festivals— 
It was the custom there to bring away 
The bride from home at blushing shut of day 
Veiled in a chariot, heralded along 
By strewn flowers, torches, and a marriage song. 
; >/' 
In modern times, flowers are; introduced 
on festive occasions, in various places. On 
Saints’ days, in Roman catholic countries, 
“ processions are formed which pass under 
arches hung with boughs, occasionally paus¬ 
ing before altars covered with flowers. There 
the eye dwells with delight on the most beau¬ 
tiful garlands; and the attendants, who are 
numerous, are ornamented with the rarest 
flowers. The streets are strewed with them; 
choristers carry baskets full of roses and yel¬ 
low broom, which they throw at intervals 
before the sacred altars. Ladies, too, wire 
