INTRODUCTION. 9 
“ where soft perfumes diffuse from every floweror the deserts 
of Arabia, where 
The acacia waves her yellow hair; 
or shall we choose the Grecian Isles, and join there a bridal 
train, “ where the young maidens are crowned with fairest flow¬ 
ers ? And there on every side are seen a succession of narcis¬ 
suses, hyacinths, anemones, iris, all hues, violets of all sorts, 
roses of every kind, and every odoriferous plant.” These the 
ancient Greeks scattered in the porticoes of their temples: 
with them they adorned their altars, and decorated the statues 
of their gods; they strewed them in the victor’s path; and 
wore wreaths of flowers in their holy ceremonies. 
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. 
Keats. 
And at their banquets and festivals they crowned themselves 
with 
Garlands of every green, and every scent, 
From vales deflowered 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. 
Keats. 
If we pass to Italy, we shall find lilies, and violets, the nar¬ 
cissus, and flowers of the sweet smelling anise; with cassia, 
and other fragrant herbs, the soft hyacinth, and the saffron 
marigold. And in Spain we may 
