WEEPING WILLOW. 
37 
Forsaken lovers are represented by our ear¬ 
lier poets as wearing wreaths of Willow. 
In love, the sad, forsaken wight 
The Willow garland weareth. 
Drayton. 
I offered him my company to a Willow-tree, to make 
him a garland, as being forsaken. 
Shakspeare. 
In such a night, 
Stood Dido, with a Willow in her hand, 
Upon the wild sea-hanks, and waved her love 
To come again to Carthage. 
Id. 
I’ll wear the Willow-garland for his sake. 
Id. 
The Arabs have a particular tradition relative 
to the origin of the Weeping Widow. This 
tradition is founded on the story of Bathsheba, 
and corresponds with the account given in the 
Old Testament of the manner in which she 
became the wife of David and the mother of 
Solomon. It then proceeds thus: One mom- 
ing, the king was seated as usual at his harp, 
composing psalms, when he perceived to his 
astonishment two strangers seated opposite to 
him on the divan. As strict orders were issued 
that no person whatever should be admitted 
E 
