268 
THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
them as only second to the mistletoe: they used it largely 
in their divinations and casting of lots. 
Sir William Davenant, in his poem of “ Gondibert,” 
alludes to its curative powers : 
“ Black melancholy rusts, that fed despair 
Through wounds’ long rage, with sprinkled vervain cleared ; 
Strewed leaves of willow to refresh the air, 
And with rich fumes his sullen senses cheered.” 
Vervain is used still amongst the Cornish peasantry as 
a charm against ague. 
In gathering the vervain for “ good luck,” the herb is 
first crossed with the hand, and then blessed, thus : 
“ Hallowed be thou, Vervain, 
As thou growest in the ground; 
For in the Mount of Calvary 
There thou first wast found. ” 
VERVAIN. 
In the solemn midnight hour 
When the spirit world hath power, 
Here I pluck thee, vervain leaf 
For my troubled heart’s relief. 
By the magic of thy spell 
May my lover love me well; 
May he ever faithful prove 
To his early vows of love 
And no worldly thoughts arise 
To beguile his heart and eyes. 
Vervain, holy, good and true, 
This “good luck” I beg of you. 
