AND FLOWERS OF POETRY. 171 
PEACE. 
OLIVE. 
To thee the heavens, in thy nativity, 
Adjudged an olive-branch, and laurel crown, 
As likely to be blest in peace and war. 
Shakspeare. 
This tree has been celebrated in all ages as the bounteous 
gift of Heaven, and as the emblem of peace and plenty. Peace 
— wisdom — concord — clemency —joy — the graces — have 
ever been crowned with olive. 
The dove sent out of the ark by Noah to ascertain if the wa¬ 
ters were assuaged, returned bearing a branch of olive, as a 
symbol of that rest which Heaven was about to restore to the 
earth. 
The sinner placed a verdant spray 
Within her dead child’s hand, 
And turned, in wordless grief, away — 
A lost one — barred and banned! 
In that fond act were prayer and vow—• 
Oh! be her guilt forgiven! 
Her dovelet bears an olive-bough, 
To make her peace with Heaven. 
F. s. o. 
